Natural-synthetic polyblend nanofibers for biomedical applications

Abstract

The development and characterization of a natural-synthetic polymeric nanofiber comprised of well-blended chitosan and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) is discussed. The design combined the technological advancements in biocompatible polymers and nanotechnology to produce nanofibrous matrices with significantly improved mechanical and biological properties. The well-blended chitosan-PCL nanofibrous matrix integrated the favorable biological properties of chitosan and mechanical properties, while providing a stable and favorable environment for a wide range of biomedical applications. A conduit was constructed from the nanofiber as a model biomedical engineering application for potential nerve regeneration and investigate mechanical and biological properties in vitro. The specific application was studied as it represented a challenge and needed significant requirements in material's mechanical and biological properties among tissue engineering applications.