Effect of cellulose nanowhiskers on surface morphology, mechanical properties, and cell adhesion of melt-drawn polylactic Acid fibers.
Polylactic acid (PLA) fibers were produced with an average diameter of 11.2 (± 0.9) μm via a melt-drawing process. The surface of the PLA fibers was coated with blends of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) (65 to 95 wt %) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). The CNWs bound to the smooth PLA fiber surface imparted roughness, with the degree of roughness depending on the coating blend used. The fiber tensile modulus increased 45% to 7 GPa after coating with 75 wt % CNWs compared with the uncoated PLA fibers, and a significant increase in the fiber moisture absorption properties at different humidity levels was also determined. Cytocompatibility studies using NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells cultured onto CNWs-coated PLA surface revealed improved cell adhesion compared with the PLA control, making this CNW surface treatment applicable for biomedical and tissue engineering applications. Initial studies also showed complete cell coverage within 2 days.
Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, Faculty of Engineering, ‡School of Chemistry, and §Process and Environmental Research Division, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham , University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
Kazi M Zakir
KM
Hossain
Muhammad S
MS
Hasan
Daniel
D
Boyd
Chris D
CD
Rudd
Ifty
I
Ahmed
Wim
W
Thielemans
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D002482:Cellulose