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Skin-compatible Carbopol® Electrospun Fiber Membranes with pH-Dependent Rheological Properties for Biomedical
Daewoo Han1, Robert Horvath1,2, Burcu Uner3
1Nanoelectronics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221 USA.
Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
|March 17, 2025
Summary
pH-responsive nanofibers made with Carbopol® and polyvinylpyrrolidone show tunable properties. Higher pH increases Carbopol® concentration, enhancing gel formation and buffer uptake for applications like drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Carbopol® is a biocompatible polymer used in pharmaceuticals and personal care.
- Electrospun nanofibers offer unique properties for various applications.
- pH-responsive materials are crucial for controlled release systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pH-responsive properties of electrospun nanofibers containing Carbopol®.
- To understand the influence of Carbopol® concentration and pH on fiber hydration and spreadability.
- To provide design guidelines for Carbopol®-based pH-responsive fibers.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers incorporating Carbopol® via electrospinning.
- Sonication of Carbopol® dispersions before electrospinning for uniform incorporation.
- Evaluation of fiber hydration behavior, gel formation, and physical spreadability under varying pH and Carbopol® concentrations.
Main Results:
- Sonication ensured uniform Carbopol® distribution within PVP nanofibers.
- Higher pH (>6) significantly increased Carbopol® concentration, leading to enhanced buffer uptake, faster hydration, and complete gel formation.
- At pH 4, increasing Carbopol® slightly increased viscosity. At pH 8, increasing Carbopol® reduced pH, decreased viscosity, and increased spreadability.
Conclusions:
- Carbopol® concentration and pH critically influence the hydration and viscoelastic properties of electrospun nanofibers.
- These findings enable rational design of pH-responsive Carbopol® fibers for targeted applications.
- Potential applications include drug delivery, wound dressings, and medical devices.
