Nanofibers by green electrospinning of aqueous suspensions of biodegradable block copolyesters for applications in medicine, pharmacy and agriculture

Abstract

Poly(hexamethylene adipate)-PEO block copolymers (PHA-b-PEO) with different PEO contents were synthesized and processed to aqueous suspensions with high solid contents by a solvent displacement method followed by dialysis. The best suspension displayed a solid content of 16 wt.-% and an average particle size of 108nm. This suspension was mixed with a small amount of high molecular weight PEO and Brij78 and electrospun into corresponding nanofibers. After extraction with water, nanofibers of PHA-b-PEO were obtained. Electrospinning of aqueous suspensions of biodegradable polyesters alleviates concerns regarding safety, toxicology and environmental problems, which are associated with spinning of such polyesters from harmful organic solvents and thereby offers novel perspectives for applications in medicine, pharmacy and agriculture. Electrospinning of polymers from aqueous suspensions avoiding harmful organic solvents is suggested to be "green electrospinning". Nanofibers of biodegradable block copolyesters can be prepared by "green electrospinning" of highly concentrated aqueous block copolyester suspensions. "Green electrospinning" will open up novel perspectives for application in medicine, pharmacy and agriculture. Copyright © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.