Switchable surface and loading/release of target molecules in hierarchically porous PLA nonwovens based on shape...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with potential in drug delivery.
• Developing smart materials with controlled release capabilities is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create hierarchically porous polylactic acid (PLA) nonwovens with shape memory properties.
• To investigate the controlled release of molecules from PLA nonwovens based on their structural changes.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of PLA and polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend solutions.
• Water etching to create hierarchical pores.
• Cyclical hot-pressing and hot water bath treatment to induce shape memory effect and control porosity.

Main Results:

• Hierarchically porous PLA nonwovens exhibiting shape memory effect were successfully prepared.
• A reversible switch between compact (CLOSE state) and porous (OPEN state) surfaces was achieved.
• The porous structure facilitated rapid release of molecules, demonstrating potential for controlled delivery.

Conclusions:

• The developed PLA nonwovens offer a promising platform for temperature-controlled, rapid release applications.
• This technology could be applied in areas such as catalyst delivery and pharmaceutical drug release.