Electrospun hybrid fibers with substantial filler contents formed through kinetically arrested phase separation in liquid jet

Macromolecular Bioscience

Liu

et al. 2015

Self Cite

The performance of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL)-based biomaterials is defined by spatial distributions of PCL's amorphous and crystalline domains. Unfortunately, directly visualizing their inner architectures has been challenging. This study demonstrates, the superior degradation selectivity of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) enzyme; when used at low concentrations, it preferentially breaks down the amorphous chains prior to the crystalline chains. Top-down dissection using this enzyme is performed on several PCL-based systems. Self-assembled nanolamellae (e.g., thin films) or hierarchically nanostructured crystalline skeletons (e.g., fibers) are clearly captured. Thus, the spatial distribution of the amorphous compartments can be precisely mapped out, which otherwise cannot be achieved.

“…[9] SEM images for degraded 8:2 by mass PCL/m-iBuPOSS hybrid fibers are shown in Figure 6. The water/methanol was used to improve the surface wettability of the hybrid fibers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Preparation Of Electrospun Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Visualizing the Inner Architecture of Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐Based Biomaterials and Its Impact on Performance Optimization

Macromolecular Bioscience

Liu

et al. 2015

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“…In the past, various secondary nanostructured fibers have been produced by electrospinning techniques or the post‐treatment of electrospun fibers. Well‐documented research has shown interesting examples, such as nanoporous fibers, nanowrinkled fibers, and shish kebabs . Among these eye‐catching hierarchically structured electrospun fibers, nanofiber shish kebabs, for instance, have shown very promising applications for the guided growth of hydroxyapatite crystals .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hierarchical Polymer Blend Fibers of High Structural Regularity Prepared by Facile Solvent Vapor Annealing Treatment

Grim

2017

Macro Materials & Eng

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In this study, a facile solvent vapor annealing (SVA) method is utilized to inscribe hierarchical secondary nanostructures onto electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone)(PCL)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blend fibers. By carefully understanding the phase separation and crystallization behavior of PCL/PEO blends during the electrospinning process, one can tune the spatial distribution of the PCL phase, the growth of the PCL crystalline regions, and therefore the amount and even the sensitivity of free amorphous PCL chains in response to acetone vapor. Here, the PEO domains serve as mini‐dividers to restrict the growth of the semicrystalline PCL phase. During acetone vapor annealing, the PEO phase remains largely unchanged while swollen‐free amorphous PCL chains are deposited on pre‐existing PCL or even PEO crystalline lamellae, giving rise to hierarchical structures of high regularity. The morphologies of PCL/PEO hierarchical structures reported in this study are of striking uniformity, further demonstrating the reliability of the facile SVA method, not only for a few layers of thin fiber mats but also for thicker fiber mats.

Electrospun Poly(ε‐caprolactone)/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane‐Based Copolymer Blends: Evolution of Fiber Internal Structures

Macromolecular Bioscience

2016

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This study reports the structural transition of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly[(propylmethacryl-heptaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)-co-(methyl meth-acrylate)] (POSS-MMA) blends, from PCL-rich fibers, to bicontinuous PCL core/POSS-MMA shell fibers, to POSS-MMA-rich fibers with a discontinuous PCL inner phase. A ternary phase diagram depicting the electrospinnability of PCL/POSS-MMA solutions is constructed by evaluating the morphological features of fibers electrospun from solutions with various concentrations and PCL/POSS-MMA blend ratios. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry are further used to characterize the electrospun PCL/POSS-MMA hybrid fibers. These physicochemical characterization results are thoroughly discussed to understand the internal structures of the hybrid fibers, which are directly correlated to the phase separation behavior of the electrospun solutions. The current study provides further insight into the complex phase behavior of POSS-copolymer-based systems, which hold great potential for a broad spectrum of biomedical applications.