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Electrospun Polycaprolactone Scaffolds Using an Ionic Liquid as Alternative Solvent: Morphometric, Mechanical and Biological Properties
Author(s) -
Da Silva Bernardo A.,
Valério Alexsandra,
Cesca Karina,
Hotza Dachamir,
Gómez González Sergio Yesid
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.202002399
Subject(s) - polycaprolactone , ionic liquid , electrospinning , solvent , dissolution , chemical engineering , materials science , scaffold , tissue engineering , yield (engineering) , cytotoxicity , chemistry , adhesion , polymer chemistry , composite material , biomedical engineering , polymer , organic chemistry , in vitro , biochemistry , medicine , engineering , catalysis
Ionic liquids (IL) are a greener alternative to aggressive organic solvents used for biopolymers dissolution in the electrospinning process. Nevertheless, the effect of IL on the properties of the electrospun materials is still a gap. In this work, we obtain polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun mats using two solvents, either trichloromethane (CHCl 3 ) – a conventional toxic and carcinogenic solvent – or 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl), an ionic liquid. The differences between the respective electrospun products were assessed through the scaffold's morphology, mechanical properties and cytotoxicity. The use of IL resulted in the formation of textured thinner fibers, enhancing the surface area in 43 %. IL induced a lower rupture stress and elongation of the mats of 34 and 39 %, respectively, while the elastic modulus and yield stress did not present significant differences. The cytotoxicity assays using L929 cells detected a number of viable cells slightly higher for the scaffold produced with IL. Cell interaction tests also revealed that L929 cells adhere and proliferate on both scaffolds. However, the cell adhesion was higher for the mats fabricated using IL. Beyond the results, this work sheds light on the pros and cons of tissue engineering scaffolds produced with the aid of less hazardous solvents.