Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Biophysics

Electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers have been successfully produced in the optimum electrospinning conditions. The effect of adding chitosan, NaHCO₃ and ZnC₂ to polycaprolactone in order to enhance its properties to be used as a nerve graft conduit was studied. Also PCL mats were hydrolyzed and compared to the results obtained by adding NaHCO3. The different polymeric solutions with different concentrations were investigated by measuring the change in viscosity, stability by time and conductivity. The resultant electrospun mats were characterized by SEM, contact angle, FTIR, XRD and also mechanical properties as well as antibacterial and mesenchymal stem cells proliferation assessment were tested. The results revealed that the additives have enhanced the properties of PCL polymeric solutions and their electrospun mats. Further studies on enhancing the properties of PCL-Chitosan blend by adding NaHCO₃ and ZnCl₂ to the polymeric solution with different concentrations. The results also showed that NaHCO₃ and ZnCl₂ have significantly enhanced the properties of PCL-Chitosan polymeric solutions and their electrospun mats. Finally, the mats were produced from electrospinning on corn husks in order to generate surface grooves to enhance cell attachment and then rolled up to become a hollow and multichannel nerve conduit in order to improve nerve regeneration

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