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Tunable Drug Loading and Reinforcement of Polycaprolactone Films by Means of Electrospun Nanofibers of Glycolide Segmented Copolymers
Author(s) -
Márquez Yolanda,
Franco Lourdes,
Turon Pau,
del Valle Luís J.,
Puiggalí Jordi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201700401
Subject(s) - materials science , polycaprolactone , nanofiber , electrospinning , copolymer , composite material , adhesion , chemical engineering , polyvinylpyrrolidone , polymer chemistry , polymer , engineering
Electrospinning of a segmented copolymer having polyglycolide hard segments is successfully performed from 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol solutions. During the process, a bactericidal agent, i.e., chlorhexidine (CHX), is effectively loaded, which results in nanofibers with a smaller diameter because of the change in solution conductivity. New fabrics based on molding of alternate layers of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) films and the electrospun scaffolds of the segmented copolymer are prepared and characterized. The thermal molding process renders a PCL matrix homogeneously reinforced with nanofibers that compensate for the loss of mechanical properties caused by incorporation of CHX. Release of CHX is evaluated in different media. Results vary depending on the layer where the drug is incorporated. Thus, systems with an immediate bacteriostatic effect, as well as systems with a potential long term antimicrobial effect, are obtained. Growth inhibition and adhesion assays demonstrate the fast bactericidal effect of samples with CHX loaded in its outer layers.