Characterization of Norbornene-Modified Cellulose Electrospun Fibers in Different Solvent Systems for Biomedical Applications

We utilized biomaterial scaffolds created from an electrospinning apparatus to create fibrous scaffolds with controllable morphology. To create consistent stable fibers, norbornene-modified cellulose acetate (nor-CA) was used as the polymer in solvent solutions of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and acetone/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Solution rheology was used to determine a baseline for the nor-CA concentration used within each solvent system for electrospinning. The fibrous scaffolds were analyzed for morphology and fiber size using scanning electron microscopy. Increased fiber stability and decreased beading was found with higher concentrations of nor-CA for each solvent system. TFA appeared to be the most versatile as it was able to form fibers without beads at concentrations of 15%, 18%, and 21% nor-CA, with the most stable and uniform fibers at 21% nor-CA. This solvent had a conductivity measurement of 0.98 mS. DMAc/acetone had a much higher conductivity measurement and increased beading at lower concentrations of nor-CA.