Jia Xu, Ning Cai, Weixiu Xu, Yanan Xue, Zelong Wang, Qin Dai and Faquan Yu
Optimization of mechanical properties is required in applications of tissue-engineered scaffolds. In this study, a polyelectrolyte complexation approach is proposed to improve the mechanical properties of the nanofibrous scaffolds. Through an electrospun chitosan/gelatin (CG) model system, it is demonstrated that the storage modulus of CG nanofiber-based complex membranes is over 10 3 -fold higher than that of neat chitosan or gelatin membranes. Further, an annealing process was found to promote the conjugation of the oppositely charged polymers and thus the tensile modulus of CG membranes is 1.9-fold elevated. When the molar ratio of aminoglucoside units in chitosan to carboxyl units in gelatin is 1:1, the complex nanofiber-based membranes (CG2) display the highest mechanical strength. In addition, the complex membranes reveal an excellent swelling capacity. By comparing the CG membranes electrospun with cast, it is deduced that the complexation is one of the main contr...
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Optimization of mechanical properties is required in applications of tissue-engineered scaffolds. In this study, a polyelectrolyte complexation approach is proposed to improve the mechanical properties of the nanofibrous scaffolds. Through an electrospun chitosan/gelatin (CG) model system, it is demonstrated that the storage modulus of CG nanofiber-based complex membranes is over 10 3 -fold higher than that of neat chitosan or gelatin membranes. Further, an annealing process was found to promote the conjugation of the oppositely charged polymers and thus the tensile modulus of CG membranes is 1.9-fold elevated. When the molar ratio of aminoglucoside units in chitosan to carboxyl units in gelatin is 1:1, the complex nanofiber-based membranes (CG2) display the highest mechanical strength. In addition, the complex membranes reveal an excellent swelling capacity. By comparing the CG membranes electrospun with cast, it is deduced that the complexation is one of the main contr...
Link to full article
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