The impact of humidity on the generation and morphology of the 3D cotton-like nanofibrous piezoelectric scaffold via an electrospinning method

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D), highly porous, and low-density fibrous scaffolds have attracted significant interest in recent years for applications in tissue engineering. However, the fabrication of 3D fluffy fibrous piezoelectric scaffolds remains a challenge. In this study, we report the dramatic effect that relative humidity (RH) has on the deposition of 3D cotton-like constructs composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric nanofibers mixed with Barium Titanate (BT) and multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The 30 mm diameter deposits were fabricated under variable humidity conditions while all other parameters were kept constant. Two types of fibrous architecture, 3D fluffy and two-dimensional (2D) membrane types, are recognized, as the RH during electrospinning varies. A fiber morphology transition takes place at certain RH, and the 3D cotton-like nanofibrous structure has been optimized above 90% RH. The fabrication of the 3D cotton-like fibrous piezoelectric scaffold may provide new insights for various applications in tissue engineering.