Degradation of Melt Electrowritten PCL Scaffolds Following Melt Processing and Plasma Surface Treatment. Issue 23 (29th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paxton, Naomi C.; Ho, Selina W. K.; Tuten, Bryan T.; Lipton‐Duffin, Josh; Woodruff, Maria A.
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular rapid communications. Volume 42:Issue 23(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-29
• Subjects: 3D printing -- biofabrication -- polycaprolactone -- polymer degradation -- scaffolds -- thermal degradation -- tissue engineering; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100433
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1336

Abstract

Abstract: Melt electrowriting (MEW) has been widely used to process polycaprolactone (PCL) into highly ordered microfiber scaffolds with controllable architecture and geometry. However, the integrity of PCL during specific processes involved in routine MEW scaffold development has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the impact of MEW processing on PCL following exposure to high temperatures required for melt extrusion as well as atmospheric plasma, a widely used surface treatment for improving MEW scaffold hydrophilicity. The change in polymer molecular weight and melt temperature is characterized, in comparing unprocessed and processed samples, in addition to analysis of the mechanical and surface properties of the scaffolds. No significant difference in the molecular weight or mechanical properties of the PCL scaffolds is evident following 5 days of cyclic heating to 90 °C. Exposure to plasma for up to 5 min significantly increased hydrophilicity and surface adhesion force, characterized via contact angle and atomic force microscope, however, significant polymer degradation occurred evidenced by increased brittleness of the scaffolds. This study demonstrates the degradation of PCL following fabrication via MEW and surface treatment to guide the optimization of scaffold development for subsequent applications in tissue engineering and biofabrication. Abstract : Melt electrowriting is a versatile additive manufacturing technique for processing melt polymers into highly ordered 3D scaffolds. However, extended polymer heating during printing and plasma surface treatment to induce hydrophilicity significantly degrades the polymer sample and leads to increased scaffold brittleness which may impact its performance and long‐term stability as an implant material.