Effect of solvent on the physicochemical properties of electrospun nanocomposite with gamat oil and cerium oxide for potential medical engineering application

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex and intricate process that has affected millions of people due to improper management. Scaffolds are capable of exhibiting an environment that is optimum for the regeneration of damaged tissues and hence, enhances the process of wound healing. The current study was done to fabricate nanocomposites composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) as well as gamat oil and cerium (Ce) oxide particles of different ratios through electrospinning that can be used in the healing of wounds. The polymeric solutions were dissolved in two different solvent systems to investigate the influence of solvent parameters on the physical properties of nanofibres. Solvent system A was a mixture of chloroform and dimethylformamide (DMF), while solvent system B was a mixture of acetone and DMF. Morphological analysis of fibre diameter indicated a decrease and the reduction of diameter was more pronounced in solvent system B rather than A. Contact angle measurements revealed that the addition of added constituents to pure PCL have increased its’ hydrophobicity nature for nanocomposites using both solvent systems. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated chemical interactions between PCL, gamat oil and cerium oxide as detected through the shift in absorption bands. Lastly, mechanical testing of the nanocomposites indicated that using both solvent systems, there was an increase in the tensile strengths when gamat oil and Ce oxide were added. The newly fabricated nanocomposites using different solvent systems demonstrated physicochemical properties that are well suited for wound healing applications.