Abstract
A novel Trichloromethane (TCM)/2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol (TFE) solvent system was developed for fabricating electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers. TPU solution stability made from this novel solvent system was improved compared to that from the traditional N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)/Tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent system. The minimum TPU solution concentration that can be electrospun was decreased to 0.5% w/v. The conductivity and viscosity of the TPU solution increased with the increasing ratio of TFE in the solvent system. The obtained electrospun TPU nanofibers fabricated from this novel solvent system showed smooth morphology and uniform diameter distribution. Mechanical strength of TPU nanofibers was improved using this new solvent system. Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the electrospun TPU nanofiber meshes first decreased and then increased, while the strain elongation ratio first increased and then decreased. The new solvent system significantly improves the fiber elongation ratio while maintaining the modulus and tensile strength. The chemical structure of the TPU was not affected by the TCM/TFE solvent system. Electrospun TPU nanofiber meshes prepared by using the TCM/TFE solvent system showed better cytocompatibility, which means the electrospun TPU fibrous scaffold has great potential in biomedical application.
Highlights
Nanofibers have been widely used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine [1,2,3], and electrospinning is one of the most convenient and controllable methods to manufacture nanofibers.Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is one type of polymer with excellent properties, such as high strength, high toughness, durable wear resistance and good oil resistance that has been used in textile, food, national defense and other industries [4,5,6]
Because of their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, TPU nanofibers have been widely used in biomedical applications [7,8]
Similar to other typical electrospun fibrous scaffolds, many factors have an effect on the application of TPU or TPU-based electrospun fibrous scaffolds, such as the morphology and structure, mechanical properties, and so on
Summary
Nanofibers have been widely used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine [1,2,3], and electrospinning is one of the most convenient and controllable methods to manufacture nanofibers. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is one type of polymer with excellent properties, such as high strength, high toughness, durable wear resistance and good oil resistance that has been used in textile, food, national defense and other industries [4,5,6]. Because of their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, TPU nanofibers have been widely used in biomedical applications [7,8]. It is necessary to develop a novel, highly polar and volatile solution system for the preparation of TPU nanofibers to reduce solvent residue. The in vitro cytotoxicity of prepared nanofibers was tested using rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
