Synthesis and Characterization of Biocompatible Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-Poly(L-lactide) and Study on Their Electrospun Scaffolds

Abstract

A series of multiblock copolymer, Poly(L-lactide)-b-Poly(ethylene glycol) (PLLA-b-PEG) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry and wide angle X-ray diffraction. PLLA-b-PEG fibrous scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning. The morphology of the fibers was affected by the solution concentration and different weight ratio of PLLA/PEG. In comparison with the electrospun PLLA membrane, the electrospun fibrous membranes of PLLA-b-PEG demonstrated an enhanced water absorption percentage and reductive water contact angle. The electrospun PLLA-b-PEG with weight ratio 90/10 and 75/25 fibrous membranes exhibited good flexibility and deformability to be beneficial for tissue engineering scaffolds.

Keywords:

• Electrospinning
• Fiber
• Poly(ethylene glycol)
• Poly(L-lactide)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (51103139), Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China (2011CDB352) and Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of Central Colleges (CUG090108).