Synthesis of PCL‐branched P(MMA‐co‐HEMA) to toughen electrospun PLLA fiber membrane. (25th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Suchen; Liu, Huanchao; Zhang, Xue; Ren, Yajun; Cui, Xinxiang; Song, Xiaofeng
• Is Part Of: Polymers for advanced technologies. Volume 29:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 442
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2017-08-25
• Subjects: electrospinning -- PCL‐branched P(MMA‐co‐HEMA) -- PLLA -- toughness; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pat.4133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-7147

Abstract

Abstract : Electrospun biodegradable fiber mesh is a promising alternative scaffold for delivering progenitor cells for repairing damaged or diseased tissue, but its cripple mechanical stability has not met the requirement of tissue engineering yet. In this work, the well‐defined poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐branched poly(methyl methacrylate‐ co ‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PCL‐PMH) has been successfully synthesized to toughen electrospun poly(l ‐lactide) (PLLA) fiber membrane. Characterization of the obtained nanofibrous meshes indicates that PCL‐PMH and PLLA can be well blended to make smooth fibers, and fibrous diameter vary little with blending PCL‐PMH. The aggregation state of two macromolecules is closely correlated with blend ratio, molecular structure, and molecular weight of PCL‐PMH, and only when PCL‐PMH and PLLA form good interfacial adhesion can PMH give full play to its potential for toughening the fiber membrane. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the blend are 6.20 MPa and 63.40% under the optimal conditions, respectively, and it also exhibits the representative feature of toughness materials. The blending fiber membrane is as no cytotoxic as original PLLA. This work will provide a new way for toughness of electrospun fiber membrane in practice.