Blend-based fibers produced via centrifugal spinning and electrospinning processes: Physical and rheological properties

Abstract

Cellprene™ is a recently developed polymeric blend based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/polyisoprene (PI) with good biological performance for biomedical applications. However, its potential as fiber scaffold in tissue engineering is still unknown, and the influence of processing parameters is yet to be understood. In this study, several compositions based on PLGA/PI blend mixed with hydroxyapatite (HAp) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were prepared by solvent casting. Then, the membranes were used to produce micro/nanofibers by centrifugal spinning (CS) and electrospinning (ES). The viscosity's effect was studied to find an ideal viscosity value to produce homogeneous micro/nanofibers. The in vitro bioactivity test was also performed. Rheological results showed that the best viscosity range was (0.105 Pa s > η > 0.138 Pa s) for CS; larger fibers of ES were produced with lower viscosities. The sample with the lowest HAp concentration exhibited thinner and more homogeneous non-beaded fibers and proved its bioactivity response.