Modeling Experimental Parameters for the Fabrication of Multifunctional Surfaces Composed of Electrospun PCL/ZnO-NPs Nanofibers

Abstract

In this work, a one-step electrospinning technique has been implemented for the design and development of functional surfaces with a desired morphology in terms of wettability and corrosion resistance by using polycaprolactone (PCL) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The surface morphology has been characterized by confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and water contact angle (WCA), whereas the corrosion resistance has been evaluated by Tafel polarization curves. Strict control over the input operational parameters (applied voltage, feeding rate, distance tip to collector), PCL solution concentration and amount of ZnO NPs have been analyzed in depth by showing their key role in the final surface properties. With this goal in mind, a design of experiment (DoE) has been performed in order to evaluate the optimal coating morphology in terms of fiber diameter, surface roughness (Ra), water contact angle (WCA) and corrosion rate. It has been demonstrated that the solution concentration has a significant effect on the resultant electrospun structure obtained on the collector with the formation of beaded fibers with a higher WCA value in comparison with uniform bead-free fibers (dry polymer deposition or fiber-merging aspect). In addition, the presence of ZnO NPs distributed within the electrospun fibers also plays a key role in corrosion resistance, although it also leads to a decrease in the WCA. Finally, this is the first time that an exhaustive analysis by using DoE has been evaluated for PCL/ZnO electrospun fibers with the aim to optimize the surface morphology with the better performance in terms of corrosion resistance and wettability.

Enhanced Antibacterial Ability of Electrospun PCL Scaffolds Incorporating ZnO Nanowires

“…For example, ZnO nanoparticles were added to poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) using electrospinning to improve the sensitivity of the pressure sensor [22]. In addition, due to the high porosity on the sub-micrometre length scale and the high surface area to volume ratio, a lot of ZnO nanostructures modified PCL fibrous scaffolds have been prepared using electrospinning to optimise corrosion resistance and wettability [23] or promote wound healing [24], osteogenesis and angiogenesis [25].…”

Biocompatibility Assessment of Polycaprolactone/Polylactic Acid/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Composites under In Vivo Conditions for Biomedical Applications

“…They have also been studied in the development of Zn-dependent matrix metalloproteinases due to their ability to degrade almost all components of the extracellular matrix responsible for cellular repair and tissue remodeling [ 24 ]. Due to their potent antimicrobial activity, ZnO-NPs have been studied in topical ointments [ 25 ], controlled-release drugs [ 26 ], tissue dressings [ 27 ], and as components in antimicrobial packaging [ 28 ]. Some materials such as glass, paper, chitosan, polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), and low-density polyethylene have been coated with ZnO-NPs to obtain biodegradable materials with antimicrobial activity [ 29 , 30 ].…”