Electro-spun hydroxyethyl cellulose nanofibers: the relationship between structure and process

Electrospinning is a unique and versatile technique for the fabrication of nanofibers that mimics the native extracellular matrix for tissue engineering. In this paper, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) has been electrospun. Selected parameters of spinning solutions (viscosity, conductivity and surface tension) and process parameters (applied voltage, needle-to-collector distance and collector type) were studied. The formation of nanofibers was found to depend absolutely on the right combination of voltage and distance. HEC concentration was varied from 0.25 to 2.0 % (w/w) and various additives – Tween 80, sodium chloride and organic solvents – were tested. SEM micrographs showed that HEC nanofibers with large numbers of beads could be reduced by addition of Tween 80 and sodium chloride. Addition of organic solvents did not improve nanofiber formation. It was shown that the key solution properties influencing nanofiber morphology were the polymer concentration, the viscosity and surface tension of its solution. Additionally, there are no methods or procedures for electrospinning that are universally applicable. Each polymer needs to be studied individually and the respective electrospinning conditions determined experimentally. Understanding the process and solution properties influencing the electrospun fibers is helpful in the design of tissue scaffolds. HEC nanofibers could offer advantages in the development of modern wound dressings.