Imparting Superhydrophobicity to Biodegradable Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Electrospun Meshes

摘要

The synthesis of a family of new poly(lactic acid-co-glycerol monostearate) (PIA—PGC_(18)) copolymers and their use as biodegradable polymer dopants is reported to enhance the hydrophdhicity of poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nonwpven meshes. Solutions of PLGA are doped with PLA—PGC_(18) and electrospun to form meshes with micrometer-sized fibers. Fiber diameter, percent doping, and copolymer composition influence the nonwetting nature of the meshes and alter their mechanical (tensile) properties. Contact angles as high as 160° are obtained with 30% polymer dopant. Lastly, these meshes are nontoxic, as determined by an NIH/3T3 cell biocompatibility assay, and displayed a minimal foreign body response when implanted in mice. In summary, a general method for constructing biodegradable fibrous meshes with tunable hydrophobicity is described for use in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.