Preparation and characterization of PLLA/nHA nonwoven mats via laser melt electrospinning

Laser melt electrospinning is a novel technology to fabricate tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds, and this solvent-free process is far safer than common solution electrospinning. In this paper, the electrospun poly(L-lactide)/nano-hydroxyapatite (PLLA/nHA) composite fiber scaffolds were prepared by this method. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the fibers with diameters ranging from 4 to 7 μm were obtained, and the nHA particles were well-dispersed in the PLLA fibers matrix. The energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results demonstrated the existence of nHA in the PLLA fibers. With the modification of incorporating HA nanocrystalline particles, the hydrophilicity of the electrospun PLLA/nHA mats surface can be improved.

► Laser melt electrospinning is a novel technology to produce nonwoven scaffolds.
► This rapid and uniform CO2 laser heating can minimize the polymer degradation.
► PLLA/nHA can combine positive properties of organic and inorganic materials.