Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats
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 chemicall...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/6/1390 |
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| author | Enrica Chiesa Rossella Dorati Silvia Pisani Giovanna Bruni Laura G. Rizzi Bice Conti Tiziana Modena Ida Genta |
| author_facet | Enrica Chiesa Rossella Dorati Silvia Pisani Giovanna Bruni Laura G. Rizzi Bice Conti Tiziana Modena Ida Genta |
| author_sort | Enrica Chiesa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">l</span>-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactone (PLA–PCL, 70:30 molar ratio) fibers was investigated. Microfibers of neat PLA–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–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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:59:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a969f8226b6543b2a5630e820d6d18dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:59:29Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-a969f8226b6543b2a5630e820d6d18dd2023-11-20T04:30:55ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602020-06-01126139010.3390/polym12061390Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical MatsEnrica Chiesa0Rossella Dorati1Silvia Pisani2Giovanna Bruni3Laura G. Rizzi4Bice Conti5Tiziana Modena6Ida Genta7Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12—27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12—27100 Pavia, ItalyImmunology and Transplantation Laboratory, Pedriatric Hematology Oncology Unit, Department of Maternal and Children’s Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo—27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Section, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12/14, 27100 Pavia, PV, ItalyDirecta Plus S.p.a., COMO NexT, Via Cavour, 2—22074 Lomazzo (CO), ItalyDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12—27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12—27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12—27100 Pavia, ItalyElectrospun 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-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">l</span>-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactone (PLA–PCL, 70:30 molar ratio) fibers was investigated. Microfibers of neat PLA–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–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.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/6/1390electrospinninggraphene nanoplateletsbiodegradable polymerspoly-<span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactonecomposite scaffolds |
| spellingShingle | Enrica Chiesa Rossella Dorati Silvia Pisani Giovanna Bruni Laura G. Rizzi Bice Conti Tiziana Modena Ida Genta Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats Polymers electrospinning graphene nanoplatelets biodegradable polymers poly-<span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactone composite scaffolds |
| title | Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats |
| title_full | Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats |
| title_fullStr | Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats |
| title_short | Graphene Nanoplatelets for the Development of Reinforced PLA–PCL Electrospun Fibers as the Next-Generation of Biomedical Mats |
| title_sort | graphene nanoplatelets for the development of reinforced pla pcl electrospun fibers as the next generation of biomedical mats |
| topic | electrospinning graphene nanoplatelets biodegradable polymers poly-<span style="font-variant: small-caps">l</span>-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactone composite scaffolds |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/6/1390 |
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