title: Fabrication and optimization of methylphenoxy substituted polyphosphazene nanofibers for biomedical applications.
abstract: Electrospinning has developed as a unique and versatile process to fabricate ultrathin fibers in the form of nonwoven meshes or as oriented arrays from a variety of polymers. The very small dimension of these fibers can generate a high surface area, which makes them potential candidates for various biomedical and industrial applications. The objective of the present study was to develop nanofibers from polyphosphazenes, a class of inorganic-organic polymers known for high biocompatibility, high-temperature stability, and low-temperature flexibility. Specifically, we evaluated the feasibility of developing bead-free nonwoven nanofiber mesh from poly[bis(p-methylphenoxy)phosphazene] (PNmPh) by electrospinning. The effect of process parameters such as nature of solvent, concentration of the polymer solution, effect of needle diameter, and applied potential on the diameter and morphology (beaded or bead-free) of resulting nanofibers were investigated. It was found that solution of PNmPh in chloroform at a concentration range of 7% (wt/v) to 9% (wt/v) can be readily electrospun to form bead-free fibers at room temperature. The mean diameter of the fibers obtained under optimized spinning condition was found to be approximately 1.2 microm. The bead-free, cylindrical nanofibers formed under the optimized condition showed a slightly irregular surface topography with indentations of a few nanometer scale. Further, the electrospun nanofiber mats supported the adhesion of bovine coronary artery endothelial cells (BCAEC) as well as promoted the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast like MC3T3-E1 cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA.
authors.forename: Lakshmi S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Subhabrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.forename: Jared D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Yaser E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Greish
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Harry R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Allcock
authors.forename: Cato T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Laurencin
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002417:Cattle; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002725:Chloroform; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008956:Models, Chemical; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; C108974:poly(phosphazene); D002725:Chloroform