Electrospinning applications

T.J. Sill, H.A. von Recum, Electrospinning applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Biomaterials 29 (2008) 1989-2006. 

Figure 15.1 Schematic sketch of the electrospinning setup used for producing fibers with diameters in the micro/nanometer range. As an example of electrospinning application to cationic polymers, SEM images of (A) hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) nanofibers and (B) HBC/collagen blend nanofibers are shown. Both scaffolds are essentially constituted by fiber sizes in the nanometer range and can be handled without tearing. (Adapted from Dang and Leong with permission from Wiley-VCH.)...

Sill, T.J. and von Recum, H.A. 2008. Electrospinning Applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. BwmMeri 29 1989-2006. 

Huang Z M, Zhang Y Z, Kotaki M and Ramakrishna S (2003), A review on polymer nanoflbers by electrospinning applications in nanocomposites . Compos Sci Tech, 63(15), 2223-2253. DOI 10.1016/80266-3538(03)00178-7. ZUberman M (2007), Novel composite fiber structures to provide drug/pro-tein dehvery for medical implants and tissue regeneration , Acfa Biomater, 3(1), 51-57 DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2006.06.008. 

Yu Y, Gu L, Zhu C, Van Aken PA, Maier J. Tin nanoparticles encapsulated in porous multichannel carbon microtubes preparation by single-nozzle electrospinning and application as anode material for high-performance Li-based batteries. J Am Chem Soc. 2009 131 15984-5. 

PW. Gibson, HE. Schreuder-Gibson, C. Pentheny. 1998. Electrospinning technology direct application of tailorable ultrathin membranes. J. of Coated Eabrics,2%.. 63. 

In another application electrospinning [189] of PS-fo-P4VP(PDP)i.o supra-molecules was used to produce internally structured fibers with diameters in the range of 200-400 nm. Due to the block copolymer sample selected, self-assembly resulted in spherical P4VP(PDP) domains with the well-known internal lamellar structure. After the PDP was extracted from the fibers using methanol, porous fibers were obtained [190]. With this method, the thickness of the fibers can be tuned by adjusting the spinning conditions, and the size and nature of the pores can be controlled by the choice of block copolymer and amount of amphiphile. 

The last method to be discussed, which is used to form polymer/ceramic composites by electrospinning, is extremely different to the methods previously described, but worth mentioning. Zuo et al. [129] used a method to create a composite scaffold that is actually the reverse of what most people are doing. Instead of mineralizing the nanofibers, Zuo et al. actually incorporated electrospun polymer nanofibers into a ceramic bone cement in order to form a composite scaffold. It was found that by incorporating electrospun nanofibers into the cement, the scaffold became less brittle and actually behaved similarly to that of a ductile material because of the fibers. Composite scaffolds with different polymers and fiber diameters were then tested in order to determine which scaffold demonstrated the most ideal mechanical properties. However, no cell studies were conducted and this method would most likely be used for a bone substitute instead of for bone regeneration applications. 

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