| Abstract Scope |
As astronauts travel farther from Earth, the need for portable wound care devices is increasing. This project focuses on blow-spun PVA and PVP scaffolds that can support cellular adhesion, cell growth and tissue regeneration. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a biodegradable, semicrystalline, and hydrophobic polymer with low biotoxicity. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is an amorphous, water-soluble, and low-biotoxicity polymer. It promptly absorbs 40% water by weight, facilitates drug release, and allows solid drug diffusion. These polymers were embedded with ZnO/HNTs, and blow-spun nanofibers were produced. Several solution and processing parameters were manipulated during blow spinning to obtain optimal scaffolds. The effects of these parameter changes were examined using SEM, DSC/TG, XRD, and FTIR. PVA and PVP composites improved absorption and mechanical properties. Scaffolds also supported fibroblast adhesion and proliferation. Further studies will determine their effectiveness for healing cutaneous wounds in an animal model. |