Cross-linked PMS/PLA nanofibers with tunable mechanical properties and degradation rate for biomedical applications. (5th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahmani, Mahya; Faridi-Majidi, Reza; Khani, Mohammad-Mehdi; Mashaghi, Alireza; Noorizadeh, Farsad; Ghanbari, Hossein
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 130(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-05
• Subjects: Electrospinning -- Nanofiber -- Polymannitol sebacate -- Polylactic acid -- Degradation -- Sterilization; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109633
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Hybrid PMS/PLA nanofibers were fabricated using electrospinning, then cross-linked and sterilized. The mechanical behavior, degradation rate and cytocompatibility of cross-linked nanofibers were evaluated. The tunable mechanical properties and degradation rates was achieved in cross-linked PMS/PLA nanofibers. Cross-linked PMS/PLA nanofibers considered as a candidate for tissue engineering applications. Abstract: Polymeric nanofibers have attracted research attention in recent years for various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this work, a series of novel nanofibers based on PMS/PLA with different polymeric weight ratios of 3:2, 1:1, and 2:3 were successfully fabricated by the electrospinning technique. The resultant nanofibers were then cross-linked using high-temperature vacuum oven and sterilized via various methods. The mechanical properties such as elasticity and stiffness, degradation behavior, and cytocompatibility were studied in order to investigate the potential of PMS/PLA nanofibers for tissue engineering applications. The results revealed that by increasing the cross-linking temperature up to 90 °C, PMS/PLA nanofibers maintained their nanostructured features even though there were slight changes in the morphology and diameters of the fibers. The average ultimate tensile stress (σUTS ) and Young modulus (E) of the PMS/PLA nanofibers significantly increased with cross-linking temperatures ranging from 2.51 to 3.88 MPa to 6.08–11.07 MPa and from 47.88 to 57.10 MPa to 101.37–142.31 MPa, respectively. The degradation rate of PMS/PLA nanofibers significantly decreased after the cross-linking process. The results also revealed that cross-linked PMS/PLA nanofibers could be safely sterilized without severe damages to fibrous microstructures. The PMS/PLA nanofibers revealed no significant cellular toxicity in in vitro cell culture models. The outcomes suggest that PMS/PLA nanofibers could be effectively fabricated with a range of mechanical properties and degradation rates for tissue engineering applications.