Plasma treatment of electrospun PCL random nanofiber meshes (NFMs) for biological property improvement

Abstract

In this article, the plasma surface modification effects on the chemical, mechanical, and biological properties of electrospun poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) random nanofiber meshes (NFMs) were investigated by adjusting plasma chemistry, that is, using glow discharges of N(2) +H(2), NH(3) +O(2), and Ar+O(2) gas mixtures. The surface property changes of electrospun PCL NFMs after those plasma treatments were examined by water contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the plasma treatments introduced polar groups onto the surfaces and thus increased the surface hydrophilicity. From tensile test data, plasma treatment had limited effect on the mechanical properties of PCL random NFMs. The biological properties of the plasma-treated PCL NFMs were examined by cell proliferation assays using mouse osteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1). It was found that the plasma-treated PCL NFMs gave a higher proliferation rate and improved cell adhesion properties as compared with the untreated controls.

The effect of electrospun polycaprolactone scaffold morphology on human kidney epithelial cells

“…Our results regarding the use of plasma treatment to increase the hydrophilicity of polymer scaffolds largely correlates with previous studies (Martins et al 2009;Yan et al 2013;Suntornnond et al 2016;Ghobeira et al 2017), showing an altered surface chemistry whilst retaining the same mechanical properties. This results in a dramatic increase in the hydrophilicity, as demonstrated through water contact angle tests.…”

Optimizing parameters on alignment of PCL/PGA nanofibrous scaffold: An artificial neural networks approach

“…They grew and spread along the fiber orientation while the random fibers showed cells oriented in different directions on the nanofibers. The cellular distribution mimicked the topological structures of the scaffold and exhibited classical contact guidance by growing parallel to the fibers [34].…”

Effects of Polypropylene Carbonate/Poly(d,l-lactic) Acid/Tricalcium Phosphate Elastic Composites on Improving Osteoblast Maturation

“…39 A droplet of double-distilled water was deposited onto the surface of PPTE composites, and water contact angles were measured using a meter (Kyowa Interface Science, Tokyo, Japan). Three measurements of 15 s each were made, and all analyses were performed at the same temperature and humidity.…”