Ahmed F., Choudhury N.R., Dutta N.K.
University of South Australia, AU
Keywords: morphology, scaffold, wettability
Surface wettability plays an important role in determining implant’s fate due to direct influence of protein/biomolecule adsorption that governs cell adhesion. The importance of the physical parameters, such as, overall porosity, pore directionality, difference between 2D and 3D scaffold structures are also highly critical. Also, the correct chemical structure of the scaffold material is crucial for the overall performance of an implant. Amongst various methods, fabrication of 3D scaffolds using electrospinning has generated great interest for the production nonwoven fibres of nano to micron range porosity. Fluoropolymers have been used in a wide variety of blood-contacting medical device applications due to thrombo-resistance, reduced inflammation, and increased re-endothelialisation. Therefore, in this work with a view to achieve low adhesion, low friction and good biocompatible vascular graft implant, a variety of surface morphologies have been produced by electrospinning Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-PVDF-HFP by tuning viscosity, surface tension and solution conductivity. The contact angle of spin coated PVDF-HFP surface was 95.80 and by increasing the roughness of the same material in the form of electrospun mats, the contact angle changes to 160. These electrospun surfaces show endothelial cell growth better than the spin coated surfaces demonstrating their potential for small diameter vascular graft.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2012: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles, Films and Composites (Volume 1)
Published: June 18, 2012
Pages: 140 - 142
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Materials Characterization & Imaging
ISBN: 978-1-4665-6274-5