Nozzle-free electrospinning of Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Poly(glycerol sebacate) fibrous scaffolds for skin tissue engineering applications. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keirouz, Antonios; Fortunato, Giuseppino; Zhang, Mei; Callanan, Anthony; Radacsi, Norbert
• Is Part Of: Medical engineering & physics. Volume 71(2019)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 67
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: PGS -- PVP -- UV -- Nozzle-free electrospinning -- Elastic -- Polymer; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical Engineering -- Periodicals; Physics -- Periodicals; Génie biomédical -- Périodiques; Biomedical engineering; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2019.06.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4533

Abstract

Highlights: High-throughput production of fibers using a nozzle-free electrospinning device. Tunable mechanical properties attainable by adjusting the blend ratio [PVP:PGS] and the PVP's molecular weight. Manipulation of the composite fibrous mats' wettability properties via UV irradiation. Abstract: A novel composite for skin tissue engineering applications by use of blends of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and Poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) was fabricated via the scalable nozzle-free electrospinning technique. The formed PVP:PGS blends were morphologically, thermochemically and mechanically characterized. The morphology of the developed fibers correlated to the blend ratio. The tensile modulus appeared to be affected by the concentration of PGS within the blends, with an apparent decrease in the elastic modulus of the electrospun mats and an exponential increase of the elongation at break. Ultraviolet (UV) crosslinking of the composite fibers significantly decreased the construct's wettability and stabilized the formed fiber mats, which was indicated by contact angle measurements. In vitro examination showed good viability and proliferation of human dermal fibroblast cells. The present findings provide valuable insights for tuning the elastic properties of electrospun material by incorporating this unique elastomer as a promising future candidate for skin substitute constructs. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract