Fabrication and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Starch/Poly(l-Lactide) Acid/β-Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Nanofibers via Electrospinning

Abstract

A natural polymer of carboxymethyl starch (CMS) was used in combination with the inorganic mineral of β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) and Poly l-lactide (PLLA) to prepare composite nanofibers with the potential to be used as a biomedical membrane. β-TCP contents varied in the range of 0.25% to 1% in the composition of PLLA and CMS. A mixed composition of these organic and inorganic materials was electro-spun to produce composite nanofibers. Morphological investigation indicated that smooth and uniform nanofibers could be produced via this technique. The average of the nanofiber diameters was slightly increased from 190 to 265 nm with the β-TCP content but some agglomeration of particles began to impede in the fiber at a higher content of β-TCP. It was observed that the fibers were damaged at a higher content of β-TCP nanoparticles. With the presence of higher β-TCP, the wettability of the PLLA was also improved, as indicated by the water contact angle measurement from 127.3° to 118°. The crystallization in the composite decreased, as shown in the changes in glass transition (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction analysis. Increases in β-TCP contributed to weaker mechanical strength, from 8.5 to 5.7 MPa, due to imperfect fiber structure.

3D Hierarchical, Nanostructured Chitosan/PLA/HA Scaffolds Doped with TiO2/Au/Pt NPs with Tunable Properties for Guided Bone Tissue Engineering

“…What is important is that raw PLA is known for its low bioactivity, as well as hydrophobicity. Thus, application of crosslinked chitosan containing hydrophilic groups can increase cells' adhesion and cellular responses [15]. Moreover, crosslinked polymer spectrum exhibits a band coming from carboxyl groups at 3217 cm −1 that may be present due to the surface degradation as a result of microwave-irradiation, as well as the aspartic acid molecules, which are not fully incorporated into the polymeric matrix only partially grafted leaving one-COOH group free.…”

“…Hydrogels, which are three-dimensional polymeric structures capable of water solutions sorption, are highly applied in the field of tissue engineering due to their abilities to mimic natural environments. They also have an ability to react on conditions' changes, such as temperature, pH, or electric field [15]. One of their important parameters is porosity and presence of hydrophilic groups such as amino, hydroxyl, and carboxyl [15], which enables swelling with water and provides space for adhesion and proliferation.…”

“…They also have an ability to react on conditions' changes, such as temperature, pH, or electric field [15]. One of their important parameters is porosity and presence of hydrophilic groups such as amino, hydroxyl, and carboxyl [15], which enables swelling with water and provides space for adhesion and proliferation. Figure 4 presents the results of the swelling-capacity investigations.…”

“…Such biomaterials can have a form of nanofibers, hydrogels, metal alloys, β-TCP, HA powders, and granules or bioactive glasses [10,11]. Among them, the most promising ones are nanofibrous scaffolds, which can be prepared through electrospinning of the polymer solution since they biomimic natural ECM architecture [12][13][14][15][16]. Their properties, such as high surface area and porosity make them a highly desired materials in terms of bone-tissue-defect treatment [17][18][19].…”

“…The most common ones are collagen, fibrin, gelatin, chitin, and its derivatives, or alginate; additionally, biodegradable polymers, such as PLGA/PLA and PCL are widely used [21][22][23][24]. Notably, their low durability and fast degradability means that they must be used in conjunction with other materials [14][15][16]. Electrospinning enables preparation of micro-and nanofibers, using both raw polymers solution as well as composites and nanocomposites [19].…”