Gelatin nanofibers fabricated by extruding immiscible polymer solution blend and their application in tissue engineering

Abstract

A novel and simple approach for fabricating polymeric nanofibers has been established, and gelatin nanofibers have been successfully fabricated. Specifically, gelatin aqueous solution was evenly dispersed in ethyl acetate solution of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) to form an immiscible polymer solution blend, and then this well dispersed blend was extruded through a die extruder to composite coarse fibers through a dry-spinning process. Finally gelatin nanofibers were obtained in dispersion form in acetone after removal of the CAB matrix. Viscosity ratio of the solutions played an important role in dispersion of gelatin solution in CAB solution and formation of nanofibers during the extrusion. A viscosity ratio close to 1 can increase the shear deformation between the two phases and formation of nanofibers. FT-IR results showed that the approach was a physical process and no chemical derivation was involved. The gelatin nanofibers in a suspension can be easily applied in thin layers onto many surfaces. The nanofiber morphology was completely retained after coating, and the gelatin nanofiber coated surface was able to significantly increase the cell adhesion efficiency onto the surfaces, indicating that the application of gelatin nanofiber could improve surface properties and biocompatibility of medical devices and implants.