Electrospinning Device: Physically cross-linked silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid scaffold

Background

Electrospinning is a common method for preparing nanofibers. It uses electric field forces to act on molecules in solution to form fibers and deposit them on a collection device. Similarly, during the preparation of SF/HA scaffolds, freeze-induced assembly forms silk-I crystals, which capture the blended HA through a network structure without chemical cross-linking, enhancing the stability of the scaffold in water. Both technologies use physical processes to prepare materials with specific structures and properties.

Physical cross-linking mechanism

In electrospinning, the morphology and degree of cross-linking of the fibers can be regulated by changing parameters such as electric field strength and distance. In SF/HA scaffolds, the formation of silk-I crystals provides physical cross-linking, similar to the cross-linking of fibers regulated by changing parameters in electrospinning.

Adjustability of properties

Electrospinning technology can adjust the mechanical properties and degradation behavior of fibers by adjusting parameters such as solution concentration and voltage. Similarly, the physical properties of SF/HA scaffolds can also be adjusted by changing the ratio of SF and HA, for example, the water binding capacity and mechanical properties of the scaffold can be adjusted by changing the HA content.

Biocompatibility and bioactivity

Nanofibers prepared by electrospinning have good biocompatibility due to their high specific surface area and porous structure, which is suitable for biomedical applications. SF/HA scaffolds are also suitable for soft tissue engineering due to their excellent biocompatibility and tunable properties.

New directions in biomaterial design

Electrospinning technology provides a new direction for designing biomaterials with controllable structure and properties. The preparation method of SF/HA scaffolds, especially through freeze-induced silk-I crystallization, provides new ideas for the design of SF-based biomaterials, which is similar to the role of electrospinning technology in material design.

Environmentally friendly preparation process

Both electrospinning and SF/HA scaffold preparation processes are environmentally friendly and do not require the use of harmful chemical cross-linking agents. The preparation method of SF/HA scaffolds is an all-water process, and this green method echoes the environmental friendliness of electrospinning technology.

Summary

In summary, there is a connection between electrospinning technology and the preparation of SF/HA scaffolds in terms of physical cross-linking mechanism, tunability of performance regulation, biocompatibility and bioactivity, and environmentally friendly preparation process. These connections suggest that the two techniques have similarities and complementarities in preparing biomaterials with specific properties.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116232