Novel Blend Scaffolds from Poly(caprolactone)-Chitosan-Poly(vinyl alcohol): Physical, Morphological and Biological Studies

Poly(caprolactone)-chitosan-poly(vinyl alcohol) blend nanofibrous scaffolds were electrospun in two different mass ratio of 2:1:1.33 and 2:1:1.5 for PCL:Cs:PVA without applying any chemical cross-linkers. All these three components were dissolved in acetic acid to produce uniform blend solutions for electrospinning. To achieve the mentioned ratios of PCL:Cs:PVA, some experiments were carried out on PCL:Cs blends. Although form SEM results, PCL:Cs (2:1) nanofibers were electrospun successfully but the physical properties of the web were not enough to be removed from collector. Addition of PVA as the third component to PCL:Cs (2:1) promoted the webs physical properties. FT-IR data concluded the hydrogen bonding interactions in the blends. DSC data revealed that Tm of PCL, Td of chitosan and the melting enthalpy in the blend decreased. Mechanical investigation was carried on the resulted webs. The porosity of nanofibrous webs was calculated about 87% in PCL:Cs:PVA. Fibroblast cells adhered and proliferated well on the PCL:Cs:PVA nanofibrous scaffolds. SEM micrographs also were used to investigate the morphology of cells adhering on the nanofibrous scaffolds.