title: Electrospinnability of Poly Lactic-co-glycolic Acid (PLGA): the Role of Solvent Type and Solvent Composition.
abstract: In this study, the electrospinnability of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) solutions was investigated, with a focus on understanding the influence of molecular weight of PLGA, solvent type and solvent composition on the physical properties of electrospun nanofibers.
  
  
  
  Various solvents were tested to dissolve two PLGA grades (50 KDa-RG755, 100 KDa-RG750). The viscoelasticity, surface tension, and evaporation rate of the PLGA solutions were characterized prior to the electrospinning process. The resulting electrospun nanofibers were characterized with respect to the morphology and mechanical properties.
  
  
  
  Two pairs of solvent mixtures, i.e. dimethylformamide (DMF)-tetrahydrofuran (THF) and DMF-chloroform (CHL), were identified to provide a stable cone-jet. Within the polymer concentration range studied (10-30%, w/v), RG750 solutions could be electrospun into uniform fibers at 30% (w/v) or at 20% (w/v) when modifying the solvent composition. In comparison to DMF-THF solution, fibers had larger diameter, higher stiffness and tensile strength when electrospun from DMF-CHL solution.
  
  
  
  The high molecular weight polymer could ensure sufficient intermolecular interaction to generate uniform fibers. The solvent could influence the morphology and mechanical properties of the electrospun fibers by altering the properties of PLGA solution, and drying rate of fibers in the electrospinning process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Stefania G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Baldursdottir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aho
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars Porskjær
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rantanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. mingshi.yang@sund.ku.dk.|Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road No. 103, 110016, Shenyang, China. mingshi.yang@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Mingshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008970:Molecular Weight; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D012212:Rheology; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: electrospinning; mechanical property; morphology; rheological property