Electrospinning of hybrid nanofibres elaborated with PEG core dendrimers and SPIONs synthesized in-situ: As multifunctional material for biomedical applications

Abstract

Nanoparticles have emerged as a major attraction for preparation of novel materials with unique properties. They are usually a combination of extraordinary materials not found in nature. Expanding on that concept, nanofibres with additional components for biomedical applications were fabricated. Magnetic nanoparticles were chosen because they exhibit super paramagnetic properties for a wide range of applications in biomedicine. These particles were coated with polymer PEG 2000, which allowed bond formation of bond between the positive end of the dipole in SPIONs and the anion in PEG 2000, thus providing stability for use for a few weeks after preparation and further helping the interaction with PEG dendrimers and PEO. A colloid of SPIONs with PEG dendrimers and PEO was then used for electrospinning, providing multifunctional nanofibres of SPIONs characteristic rust-colour. The average diameter depended on the generation of dendrimers used in the colloid, ranging from 113 nm to 123 nm. The fibres were further characterized for thermal stability using TGA. The nanofibres proved a higher thermal stability, which is one of the many functionalities obtained by consisting of diverse, nanoparticle components. This can lead to numerous possibilities that could be fabricated by building on this methodology. For example, hybrid materials containing pioneering combinations can be developed.