Open Access Conference Proceedings

The electrospinning process was employed for the preparation of nanofiber substrates based on hydrophobic poly(-caprolactone) (PCL), hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and amphiphilic PCL/PEG linear polyurethane (PUR). The used polymer solution and electrospinning process influenced the structure and biodegradability of resulting nanofibers. While nanomaterials processed from PCL and PEG dissolved in acetic and formic acid mixture solvent showed well-structured nanofiber meshes, the electrospinning of PUR acidic solution resulted in electrosprayed film due to the insufficient molecular weight of PUR. In order to improve the biocompatibility of nanofibers a thin amine layer by means of the cyclopropylamine plasma polymerization in radio frequency capacitively coupled discharge was deposited on prepared nanofibrous meshes. The presence of the amine groups on the surface of nanofibrous substrate supposed to enhance the adhesion and proliferation of cells. The possibility for further functionalizing by grafting with chitosan biopolymer through carbodiimide-mediated coupling via citric acid has been tested on a model PCL/PEG PUR foil. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful grafting of chitosan onto the PUR surface. Optimizing PUR nanofibers processing can open possible use of the material in wound healing applications exploiting antibacterial properties of chitosan and excellent elasticity, controlled biodegradability and optimal stiffness of PUR.

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