Fabrication of 3D Polycaprolactone Macrostructures by 3D Electrospinning
Atchara Chinnakorn1, Yanawarut Soi-Ngoen1, Oratai Weeranantanapan2,3
1School of Physics, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|May 22, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a novel 3D electrospinning technique to create polycaprolactone (PCL) macrostructures. This method enhances scaffold fabrication for improved cell infiltration and growth in tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fabricating 3D electrospun macrostructures and monitoring internal biological activity presents significant challenges.
- Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a versatile biomaterial with potential for tissue engineering scaffolds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a 3D electrospinning method for fabricating PCL macrostructures.
- To assess the suitability of these PCL scaffolds for in vitro cell culture and monitor cell behavior within them.
Main Methods:
- In-house 3D electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) solutions with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) additives.
- Systematic investigation of parameters including solution concentration, solvent, H3PO4 concentration, flow rate, nozzle-collector distance, voltage, and nozzle speed.
- Optimization of parameters to achieve desired macrostructure dimensions and uniformity.
- Oxygen plasma treatment to enhance scaffold hydrophilicity.
- Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) for visualizing cell penetration and growth.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated 3D PCL macrostructures with controlled dimensions (e.g., 6 cm diameter, 16.18 ± 2.58 mm height, 3.98 ± 1.01 mm wall thickness) and uniform nanofiber diameter (1.40 ± 1.10 μm).
- Identified key factors for 3D self-assembled nanofiber fabrication: H3PO4 additives, flow rate, and initial distance.
- Optimized conditions (4 mL/h flow rate, 4 cm distance, 14 kV voltage, 1 mm/s nozzle speed) enabled rapid macrostructure buildup.
- Oxygen plasma treatment significantly improved PCL hydrophilicity, making scaffolds suitable for cell culture.
- SRXTM confirmed successful cell penetration and growth within the 3D PCL scaffolds.
Conclusions:
- The developed in-house 3D electrospinning technique overcomes limitations in fabricating complex, cell-compatible scaffolds.
- Optimized PCL macrostructures demonstrate excellent potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
- This advancement opens new avenues for designing and utilizing advanced biomaterial scaffolds.
