TY - JOUR
T1 - Graphene nanoplatelets for the development of reinforced PLA-PCL electrospun fibers as the next-generation of biomedical mats
AU - Chiesa, Enrica
AU - Dorati, Rossella
AU - Pisani, Silvia
AU - Bruni, Giovanna
AU - Rizzi, Laura G.
AU - Conti, Bice
AU - Modena, Tiziana
AU - Genta, Ida
PY - 2020/6/1
Y1 - 2020/6/1
N2 - 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-L-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-PCLchain 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.
AB - 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-L-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-PCLchain 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.
KW - Biodegradable polymers
KW - Composite scaffolds
KW - Electrospinning
KW - Graphene nanoplatelets
KW - Poly-L-lactide-copoly-ε-caprolactone
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U2 - 10.3390/polym12061390
DO - 10.3390/polym12061390
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85087860984
VL - 12
JO - Polymers
JF - Polymers
SN - 2073-4360
IS - 6
M1 - 1390
ER -