Abstract
This paper reports the first study on centrifugal spinning of PHBV fibres. Fibres were spun from solution using a range of polymer concentrations, spin speeds and spinneret to collector distances. A PHBV polymer concentration of 25% w/v spun at 9000rmin−1 produced the highest quality fibres, with fibre diameters predominantly in the 0.5–3μm range. The rate at which fibre could be produced at the 9000rmin−1 spin speed and with a spinneret to collector distance of 39.2cm was equivalent to 11km of fibre per minute per needle. Average fibre strengths of 3MPa were achieved, together with average moduli of 100MPa, indicating that the fibres had higher strength but lower stiffness than electrospun PHBV. The productivity and mechanical properties achieved, together with the excellent biocompatibility of PHBV, means that these fibres have potential for application in a range of biomedical applications.
Highlights
Submicron fibrous assemblies have gained interest in the field of tissue engineering due to their large surface-area to volume ratio, high porosity and a structural similarity to extracellular matrix (ECM) [1,2]
In relation to the spinning of biopolymers for tissue scaffold production, the process has some limitations such as requirement of a high voltage electric field, solution conductivity and a relatively low productivity, which hinders its use for mass production of fibres [4]
The basic principles of centrifugal spinning have been industrially known for many years, such that the origins of the technology for processing naturally derived polymers can be traced back to at least the 1920s [5]
Summary
Submicron fibrous assemblies have gained interest in the field of tissue engineering due to their large surface-area to volume ratio, high porosity and a structural similarity to extracellular matrix (ECM) [1,2]. In relation to the spinning of biopolymers for tissue scaffold production, the process has some limitations such as requirement of a high voltage electric field, solution conductivity and a relatively low productivity, which hinders its use for mass production of fibres [4]. Centrifugal spinning technology has been directed towards nanofibre web formation in an efficient, scalable, low-cost manner. During this process, inertial forces generated at high rotational speeds create and elongate a fluid solution or melt without the need for electrostatic stimulation [6]. At high rotational speeds centrifugal forces cause a liquid jet to eject from the spinneret.
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