Fabrication and Characterization of Polylactic Acid Electrospun Scaffolds Modified with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles.

Athanasios Kotrotsos,Prokopis Yiallouros,Vassilis Kostopoulos

doi:10.3390/biomimetics5030043

Abstract

The solution electrospinning process (SEP) is a cost-effective technique in which a wide range of polymeric materials can be electrospun. Electrospun materials can also be easily modified during the solution preparation process (prior SEP). Based on this, the aim of the current work is the fabrication and nanomodification of scaffolds using SEP, and the investigation of their porosity and physical and mechanical properties. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) was selected for scaffold fabrication, and further modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles. After fabrication, porosity calculation and physical and mechanical characterization for all scaffold types were conducted. More precisely, the morphology of the fibers (in terms of fiber diameter), the surface properties (in terms of contact angle) and the mechanical properties under the tensile mode of the fabricated scaffolds have been investigated and further compared against pristine PLA scaffolds (without nanofillers). Finally, the scaffold with the optimal properties was proposed as the candidate material for potential future cell culturing.

Highlights

The solution electrospinning process (SEP) has been characterized so far as a novel and cost-effective method for the fabrication of fibrous structures
The mechanical properties of a scaffold are of great importance in the tissue engineering domain
In the case of the modified polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds with 2% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), dark spots are evident on the picture (Figure 1E), which demonstrates the presence of agglomerates in the final scaffold

Summary

Introduction

The solution electrospinning process (SEP) has been characterized so far as a novel and cost-effective method for the fabrication of fibrous structures. This method allows the fabrication of fibers with diameters ranging from a few nanometers up to 1 mm. One of the most basic requirements for a scaffold’s functionality is sufficient mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness and strength), which further provide adequate stability. In order for a well-structured scaffold to be effective, it must retain its structural integrity during handling and implantation at the defect site and provide sufficient biomechanical support during the regeneration process and the scaffold’s degradation [6]

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion