Nitric oxide-releasing silica nanoparticle-doped polyurethane electrospun fibers.

Electrospun polyurethane fibers doped with nitric oxide (NO)-releasing silica particles are presented as novel macromolecular scaffolds with prolonged NO-release and high porosity. Fiber diameter (119-614 nm) and mechanical strength (1.7-34.5 MPa of modulus) were varied by altering polyurethane type and concentration, as well as the NO-releasing particle composition, size, and concentration. The resulting NO-releasing electrospun nanofibers exhibited ~83% porosity with flexible plastic or elastomeric behavior. The use of N-diazeniumdiolate- or S-nitrosothiol-modified particles yielded scaffolds exhibiting a wide range of NO release totals and durations (7.5 nmol mg(-1)-0.12 μmol mg(-1) and 7 h to 2 weeks, respectively). The application of NO-releasing porous materials as coatings for subcutaneous implants may improve tissue biocompatibility by mitigating the foreign body response and promoting cell integration.

Duke Scholars

Author Alexis Carpenter Pratt School of Engineering