Electrospun composite matrices from tenside-free poly(ε-caprolactone)-grafted acrylic acid/hydroxyapatite oil-in-water emulsions

Composite matrices of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-grafted acrylic acid (PCL-g-AA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) were prepared via electrospinning of oil-in-water emulsions. Grafting of varying amounts of AA on PCL was carried out in a twin-screw compounder using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator under inert atmosphere. A solution of PCL-g-AA in toluene, containing HA, comprised the oil phase of the emulsion, while the aqueous phase contained poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a template polymer. No emulsifier was used in making such emulsions which were found to be stable for more than a month at room temperature. Secondary interactions of AA group of PCL-g-AA with HA and PVA at the oil-water interface provided stability to the emulsion. Uniform composite fibrous matrices were produced from the resultant emulsions under controlled electrospinning conditions. The composite matrices, thus developed using minimal organic solvent, are free from emulsifiers and have high potential to be used in applications including tissue engineering.