Composition-graded Films of Fluoroapatite/PHB Fabricated via Electrospinning for Tissue Engineering

Composition-graded films (CGF) of fluoroapatite (FAP) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) were prepared via electrospinning solutions of FAP and PHB using a gradient composition of CGF. Thermal properties, mechanical properties and surface morphology of the films were investigated. Designed thermal and mechanical properties obtained by precise control of the composition gradient of the FAP/PHB CGF. The introduction of FAP in pure PHB film significantly changed the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and extension rate of the pure PHB. Mouse fibroblast cells (L-929) were cultured on FAP/PHB uniform-films; the MTT test and cell morphology analysis indicate good biocompatibility of the modified CGF. This new method of processing makes CGF a potential candidate as an electrospinning scaffold material for tissue engineering.