chen-shortoxygen-2017.pdf (3.76 MB)
Short oxygen plasma treatment leading to long-term hydrophilicity of conductive PCL-PPy nanofiber scaffolds
journal contribution
posted on 2017-01-01, 00:00 authored by S Shafei, J Foroughi, Frank ChenFrank Chen, Cynthia Wong, Minoo NaebeMinoo NaebeElectrically conductive scaffolds are of significant interest in tissue regeneration. However, the chemistry of the existing scaffolds usually lacks the bioactive features for effective interaction with cells. In this study, poly(ε-caprolactone) was electrospun into aligned nanofibers with 0.58 μm average diameter. Electrospinning was followed by polypyrrole coating on the surface of the fibers, which resulted in 48 kΩ/sq surface resistivity. An oxygen plasma treatment was conducted to change the hydrophobic surface of the fiber mats into a hydrophilic substrate. The water contact angle was reduced from 136° to 0°, and this change remained on the surface of the material even after one year. An indirect cytotoxicity test was conducted, which showed cytocompatibility of the fibrous scaffolds. To measure the cell growth on samples, fibroblast cells were cultured on fibers for 7 days. The cell distribution and density were observed and calculated based on confocal images taken of the cell culture experiment. The number of cells on the plasma-treated sample was more than double than that of sample without plasma treatment. The long-lasting hydrophilicity of the plasma treated fibers with conductive coating is the significant contribution of this work for regeneration of electrically excitable tissues.
History
Journal
PolymersVolume
9Issue
11Article number
614Pagination
1 - 14Publisher
MDPILocation
Basel, SwitzerlandPublisher DOI
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eISSN
2073-4360Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2017, the authorsUsage metrics
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