Electrospun dual-porosity structure and biodegradation morphology of Montmorillonite reinforced PLLA nanocomposite scaffolds.
Combining a nanocomposite technique and the electrospinning process, a robust dual-porosity scaffold structure was developed for a facile transport of metabolic nutrients and wastes through the nano-sized pores and for the cell implantation and blood vessel invasion through the micro-sized pores. The montmorillonite (MMT) nano-sized platelets were incorporated into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) solution, which was subsequently electrospun and mechanically entangled by a cold compression molding process for a robust 3-dimensional scaffold structure. Using a salt leaching/gas forming method, micro-sized pores were developed in the electrospun fiber bundles giving a dual-porosity scaffold structure. Compared with the pristine PLLA scaffold, the developed nanocomposite fibrous scaffold structure exhibited increased strength and improved structural integrity during the biodegradation process. The nanocomposite scaffold systems also exhibited many tiny pinholes desirably generated on the scaffold walls without serious fragmentation during biodegradation reactions.
Lee
Yun Hui
YH
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Division of Applied Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Jong Hoon
JH
An
In-Gu
IG
Kim
Chan
C
Lee
Doo Sung
DS
Lee
Young Kwan
YK
Nam
Jae-Do
JD
D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005740:Gases; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012492:Salts / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005740:Gases; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D012492:Salts; D001546:Bentonite; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)