title: Electrospinning of Crystallizable Polypeptoid Fibers.
abstract: A unique fabrication process of low molar mass, crystalline polypeptoid fibers is described. Thermoresponsive fiber mats are prepared by electrospinning a homogeneous blend of semicrystalline poly(N-(n-propyl) glycine) (PPGly; 4.1 kDa) with high molar mass poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Annealing of these fibers at ≈100 °C selectively removes the PEO and produces stable crystalline fiber mats of pure PPGly, which are insoluble in aqueous solution but can be redissolved in methanol or ethanol. The formation of water-stable polypeptoid fiber mats is an important step toward their utilization in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering or wound dressing.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 45, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Thielke
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Colloid Chemistry, Research Campus Golm, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Secker
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schlaad
authors.affiliation: Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 45, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Theato
keywords: biomaterials; crystallization; electrospinning; polypeptoids; thermoresponsive