Development and characterisation of chitosan and polyhydroxybutyrate based polymeric scaffolds

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Blevins, Mark (2015). Development and characterisation of chitosan and polyhydroxybutyrate based polymeric scaffolds. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Electrospinning is a versatile method of producing nanofibrous polymeric material with potential applications as tissue engineering scaffolds. The main aim of this project was to produce and characterise electrospun polymeric scaffolds based on chitosan and bacterial polyhydroxybutyrate. The effect of the parameters used in the electrospinning process were studied and optimised by electrospinning polyvinyl alcohol from 8 wt% and 10 wt% solutions under a variable applied voltage from 10-25 kV. Attempts were made to electrospun chitosan however it was found that the creation of a polymer blend was necessary to facilitate fibre formation. PVA-chitosan blends were successfully electrospun at blend ratios of up to 80:20. A chitosan-hydroxybenzotriazole-PVA aqueous solution was successfully prepared enabling the production of chitosan/PVA nanofibres without the need for the use of an organic solvent. Polyhydroxybutyrate produced by bacterial synthesis from R. Eutropha using three different carbon sources; olive oil, rapeseed oil and glucose were electrospun and characterized. The choice of carbon source did not have a significant effect on the morphology or crystallinity of the produced fibres. PHB fibre diameters were reduced by 30% through the addition of the salt Benzyl tributylammonium chloride to the electrospinning solution.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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