Electrospun styrene-butadiene-styrene elastomer copolymers for tissue engineering applications: Effect of butadiene/styrene ratio, block structure, hydrogenation and carbon nanotube loading on physical properties and cytotoxicity

Different copolymers of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and hydrogenated SBS, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) were processed by electrospinning with micrometers fiber diameters. The effect of butadiene/styrene ratio, linear or radial block structure, hydrogenation, and carbon nanotube (CNT) loading on the overall material properties is reported. SEBS has higher initial modulus and mechanical hysteresis when compared to SBS. The mechanical hysteresis decreases with the number of applied cycles. The inclusion of CNTs increases the nanocomposites mechanical hysteresis and electrical conductivity independently on the copolymer matrix. The amount of styrene monomer within the samples is within the range allowed for food packaging applications. Finally, SBS and SEBS pristine samples and SEBS composites do not show cytotoxicity.