Development and Characterization of Electrospun Poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Electrospinning is a reliable method to produce polymer nanofibers for medical applications. In this report, poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) was electrospun using ethanol and water (4:1) to produce nanofibers. Electrospinning parameters such as the polymer concentration, flow rate, electric field, and distance between needle and collector were optimized. Nanofibers with diameters ranging from nano- to micrometer were obtained as seen through a scanning electron microscope. Solvent evaporation, thermal stability, crystallinity, storage modulus, and viscoelastic behavior were analyzed using FTIR, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and dynamical mechanical analysis respectively. This polymer fiber with mechanical strength, high swelling ratio, and good cell viability is shown to be an excellent biocompatible polymer for tissue engineering applications.