Preparation of a Cage-Type Polyglycolic Acid/Collagen Nanofiber Blend with Improved Surface Wettability and Handling Properties for Potential Biomedical Applications

Electrospun biobased polymeric nanofiber blends are widely used as biomaterials for different applications, such as tissue engineering and cell adhesion; however, their surface wettability and handling require further improvements for their practical utilization in the assistance of surgical operations. Therefore, Polyglycolic acid (PGA) and collagen-based nanofibers with three different ratios (40:60, 50:50 and 60:40) were prepared using the electrospinning method, and their surface wettability was improved using ozonation and plasma (nitrogen) treatment. The effect on the wettability and the morphology of pristine and blended PGA and collagen nanofibers was assessed using the WCA test and SEM, respectively. It was observed that PGA/collagen with the ratio 60:40 was the optimal blend, which resulted in nanofibers with easy handling and bead-free morphology that could maintain their structural integrity even after the surface treatments, imparting hydrophilicity on the surface, which can be advantageous for cell adhesion applications. Additionally, a cage-type collector was used during the electrospinning process to provide better handling properties to (PGA/collagen 60:40) blend. The resultant nanofiber mat was then incorporated with activated poly (alpha,beta-malic acid) to improve its surface hydrophilicity. The chemical composition of PGA/collagen 60:40 was assessed using FTIR spectroscopy, supported by Raman spectroscopy.