X-ray Tomographic imaging of Tensile Deformation Modes of electrospun Biodegradable Polyester Fibers
File(s)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Electrospinning allows the production of fibrous networks for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing in health care. It enables the production of constructs with large surface area and a fibrous morphology that closely resembles the extracellular matrix of many tissues. A fibrous structure not only promotes cell attachment and tissue formation but could also lead to very interesting mechanical properties. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) is a biodegradable polyester that exhibits a large (>400%) elongation before failure. In this study, synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging was performed during tensile deformation to failure on a non-woven fiber mat of P(3HB-co-4HB) fibers. Significant reorientation of the fibers in the straining direction was observed, followed by localized necking and eventual failure. From an original average fiber diameter of 4.3 µm, a bimodal distribution of fiber diameter (modal diameters of 1.9 and 3.7 µm) formed after tensile deformation. Extensive localized necking (thinning) of fibers between (thicker) fiber–fiber contacts was found to be the cause for non-uniform thinning of the fibers, a phenomenon that is expected but has not been observed in 3D previously. The data presented here have implications not only in tissue regeneration but for fibrous materials in general.
Date Issued
2017-12-21
Date Acceptance
2017-12-04
Citation
Frontiers in Materials, 2017, 4
ISSN
2296-8016
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Materials
Volume
4
Copyright Statement
© 2017 Maksimcuka, Obata, Sampson, Blanc, Gao, Withers, Tsigkou, Kasuga, Lee and Poologasundarampillai. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Materials Science
scaffolds
in situ
fiber necking
tissue regeneration
synchrotron X-ray
MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
DRUG-DELIVERY
MATS
BEHAVIOR
NANOFIBERS
SOLVENT
ORIENTATION
DIAMETER
RELEASE
SYSTEM
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
43