Polycarprolactone ultrafine fiber membrane fabricated using a charge-reduced electrohydrodynamic process

Abstract

This paper introduces a modified electrospinning system for biomedical wound-healing applications. The conventional electrospinning process requires a grounded electrode on which highly charged electrospun ultrafine fibers are deposited. Biomedical wound-healing membranes, however, require a very low charge and a low level of remnant solvent on the electrospun membrane, which the conventional process cannot provide. An electrohydrodynamic process complemented with field-controllable electrodes (an auxiliary electrode and guiding electrodes) and an air blowing system was used to produce a membrane, with a considerably reduced charge and low remnant solvent concentration compared to one fabricated using the conventional method. The membrane had a small average pore size (102 nm) and high porosity (85.1%) for prevention of bacterial contamination. In vivo tests on rats showed that these directly electrospun fibrous membranes produced using the modified electrospinning process supported the good healing of skin burns.

Fabrication and characterization of electrospun polyurethane blended with dietary grapes for skin tissue engineering

“…Further, Kim et al. reported that the fibrous membranes with a pore size in the range of 500–1000 nm showed better protection against the bacteria [31]. Our pore size of the fabricated composite was observed to be within this range suggesting it as a potential membrane for protection against the bacterial invasion.…”

“…Further, they suggested that the reason for the reduction in the pore size was due to the smaller fiber diameter exhibited by the fabricated membranes [30] which is similar to our observations. Further, Kim et al reported that the fibrous membranes with a pore size in the range of 500-1000 nm showed better protection against the bacteria [31]. Our pore size of the fabricated composite was observed to be within this range suggesting it as a potential membrane for protection against the bacterial invasion.…”

Electrospinning with curved nozzle spinneret for producing poly (vinyl Alcohol) nanomembrane for filtration

“…Kim et al [22] examined the usage of auxiliary electrodes of varying dimensions in order to determine the electric field concentration and the effect of the electric field at the nozzle tip. According to Kim et al [23], a slightly modified electrospinning technique included an extra electrode, an air blowing system, and a guiding electrode.…”