Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In this chapter, the basic concept regarding the electrospinning
technique, especially its uses for the preparation of PHBV/gelatin
and PHBV/collagen (PHBV-Col) scaffolds, is described. After the
interaction of the prepared nanocomposites with cells, the mor-
phological and biological phenomena of polymer composites have
been comprehensively reviewed on the basis of selective research
studies.
13.2 Electrospinning Technique
Formhals (1934)
15
patented a process whereby an experimental
setupprotocolwasoutlinedfortheproductionofpolymerfilaments
byusingelectrostaticforce.Theprocessisreferredtoaselectrospin-
ning when it is used to spin fibers. In other words, electrospinning
is a process that forms nanofibers through an electrically charged
jet of polymer solution or polymer melt. To perform electrospin-
ning, the polymer must be in liquid form, either as a molten poly-
mer or as a polymer solution. The liquid polymer solution is passed
throughtheelectrospinningsystemtoformnanofibers.Abasicelec-
trospinning system usually consists of three major components: a
high-voltage power supply, a spinneret (e.g., a pipette tip/syringe),
and a grounded collecting unit(Fig. 13.1).
When a charged polymer solution is fed through the spinneret
under an external electric field, a suspended conical droplet is
formed,wherebythesurfacetensionofthedropletisinequilibrium
Figure 13.1.
Schematic illustration of the electrospinning apparatus
(adapted from Ref. 16).
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