The Effect of Selected Electrospinning Parameters on Molecular Structure of Polycaprolactone Nanofibers

Abstract

The effect of electrospinning parameters on morphology, molecular, and supermolecular structure of polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers was analyzed, with respect to tissue engineering applications. Fibers morphology and structure are mainly determined by solution concentration and collector type. Applied voltage does not significantly influence supermolecular structure (crystallinity) and mechanical stiffness. There is correlation between changes in structure and proliferation of 3T3 cells as evidenced by in vitro study. Processing window of optimal scaffolds is relatively wide, however, variation of electrospinning parameters do not significantly affect their biological functionality.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• 3T3 cells
• crystallinity
• electrospinning
• molecular orientation
• polycaprolactone
• porosity
• tissue engineering

Acknowledgments

The authors thank also Felix Reifler for the help in collecting of WAXS data.

Notes

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