Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats

Autor: Ida Genta, Giovanna Bruni, Enrica Chiesa, Silvia Pisani, Bice Conti, Tiziana Modena, Laura Giorgia Rizzi, Rossella Dorati
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Polymers
Polymers, Vol 12, Iss 1390, p 1390 (2020)
Volume 12
Issue 6
ISSN: 2073-4360
Popis: Electrospun scaffolds made of nano- and micro-fibrous non-woven mats from biodegradable polymers have been intensely investigated in recent years. In this field, polymer-based materials are broadly used for biomedical applications since they can be managed in high scale, easily shaped, and chemically changed to tailor their specific biologic properties. Nonetheless polymeric materials can be reinforced with inorganic materials to produce a next-generation composite with improved properties. Herein, the role of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on electrospun poly-l-lactide-co-poly-&epsilon
caprolactone (PLA&ndash
PCL, 70:30 molar ratio) fibers was investigated. Microfibers of neat PLA&ndash
PCL and with different amounts of GNPs were produced by electrospinning and they were characterized for their physicochemical and biologic properties. Results showed that GNPs concentration notably affected the fibers morphology and diameters distribution, influenced PLA&ndash
PCL chain mobility in the crystallization process and tuned the mechanical and thermal properties of the electrospun matrices. GNPs were also liable of slowing down copolymer degradation rate in simulated physiological environment. However, no toxic impurities and degradation products were pointed out up to 60 d incubation. Furthermore, preliminary biologic tests proved the ability of the matrices to enhance fibroblast cells attachment and proliferation probably due to their unique 3D-interconnected structure.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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