Strategies for the development of three dimensional scaffolds from piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Abstract

Cell supports based on electroactive materials, that generate electrical signal variations as a response to mechanical deformations and vice-versa, are gaining increasing attention for tissue engineering applications. In particular, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, has been proven to be suitable for these applications in the form of films and two-dimensional membranes. In this work, several strategies have been implemented in order to develop PVDF three-dimensional scaffolds. Three processing methods, including solvent casting with particulate leaching and three-dimensional nylon, and freeze extraction with poly(vinyl alcohol) templates are presented in order to obtain three-dimensional scaffolds with different architectures and interconnected porosity. Further, it is shown that the scaffolds are in the electroactive β-phase and show a crystallinity degree of ~ 45%. Finally, quasi-static mechanical measurements showed that an increase of the porous size within the scaffold leads to a tensile strengths and the Young's modulus decrease, allowing tuning scaffold properties for specific tissues.

Tailored Biodegradable and Electroactive Poly(Hydroxybutyrate-Co-Hydroxyvalerate) Based Morphologies for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…A highly porous microstructure is observed with the presence of pores in the same range of the sacrificial material (262–370 µm) [24]. …”

On mechanical properties and bioactivity of PVDF-BCP composites

“…In this way, considering previous reports where the influence of the electric charge surface on the activity of biomaterials [25] was pointed out and discussed, it is ease to intuit that piezoelectric materials can be used to catalyze biological responses. Recent studies have been conducted in order to understand the potentialities of the polyvinylidene fluoride [(C 2 H 2 F 2 ) n or PVDF] matrix composites in human implants [26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. In this way, different biological applications have been thought for PVDF polymer, leading to different synthesis technique and sample architectures, as scaffold, for example [27].…”

“…Recent studies have been conducted in order to understand the potentialities of the polyvinylidene fluoride [(C 2 H 2 F 2 ) n or PVDF] matrix composites in human implants [26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. In this way, different biological applications have been thought for PVDF polymer, leading to different synthesis technique and sample architectures, as scaffold, for example [27]. In fact, studies conducted in cell culture have indicated some advantageous aspect of PVDF polymer for animal implants.…”

Optically transparent nanocomposite films based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) and single walled carbon nanotube: Role of process parameters on polymorphic changes

“…The mechanism of formation of different phases of PVDF films through ultrasonication and vacuum drying is explained using VIPS, which is well documented for PVDF membranes . The formation of membranes occurs as a system comprising of three components‐ that is, a combination of polymer, solvent, and nonsolvent where the solvent and nonsolvent are fully miscible here for the PVDF polymer.…”

“…Porous PVDF structures are produced by following several protocols like vapor induced phase separation (VIPS), temperature induced phase separation (TIPS), solvent casting technique, freeze extraction, and replica molding. Such PVDF structures find applications in lithium‐ion battery separators, tissue engineering, gas separation, filtration membranes, pollutant deduction devices, and water treatment . VIPS follows a well‐documented mechanism where the PVDF films are cast by using a high boiling point solvent such as N , N ‐ Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) which evaporates slowly.…”