Studies on sandwiched electrospun scaffold of isomers of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) used in tissue engineering

Abstract

Electrospinning technique has emerged as a widespread technology used to produce scaffolds (a synthetic nanofibrous structures) with morphologies and diameters in a range akin to those found in the Extra Cellular matrices (ECMs) of human tissues. Nanofibres were produced from a blend of two optical isomers of poly(Lactic acid): the Crystalline poly(D, lactic acid) (PDLA) and the hemicrystalline poly(L, lactic acid) (PLLA), at different electrospinning parameters. This was carried out in quick succession by sandwiching PLLA between PDLA. The resultant scaffold with fibre diameter 770 nm was successfully obtained at voltages of 15 kV and 18 kV for the PDLA and PLLA respectively, on a rotating mandrel collector. The SEM images show good fibres alignment and the average tensile modulus of the scaffold was approximately 176 MPa. This result reveals that the sandwiched scaffold is tough and ductile and would successfully enhance neogenesis. The scaffold, therefore, would support the mechanical strength of tissues with high mechanical demand, such as heart valves, tendon or ligament. Thus, the scaffold could be suitable for application in various tissue engineering and implants technology.