Preparation of nanofibrous poly (L-lactic acid) scaffolds using the thermally induced phase separation technique in dioxane/polyethylene glycol solution

Abstract

Porous nanofibrous poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds were fabricated in combination with a thermally induced phase separation technique using a dioxane/polyethylene glycol (PEG) system. The effect of factors such as molecular weight of PEG, aging treatment, aging or gelation temperature, and the ratio of PEG to dioxane were investigated. The results revealed that all scaffolds had high porosity, and had a significant impact on the formation of nanofibrous structures. The decrease in the molecular weight and aging or gelation temperature leads to a thinner and more uniform fibrous structure.

Keywords

• poly (l-lactic acid)
• polyethylene glycol
• nanofibrous
• phase separation