Electrospun azido-PCL nanofibers for enhanced surface functionalization by click chemistry

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2012 Dec;4(12):6499-504. doi: 10.1021/am301458y. Epub 2012 Nov 19.

Abstract

This paper reports highly surface functionalized and "clickable" α,ω-azido-poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers (f-PCL-N(3)), obtained by classical electrospinning setup. Azide-functionalized PCL was obtained from a commercially available α,ω-poly(ε-caprolactone)-diol, PCL(2), and electrospun with a nonderivative high-molecular-weight PCL. Successful chemical modifications of PCL(2) were confirmed by NMR, FTIR and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. The high content of surface azides, as a response to the high electric field applied, was characterized using a colorimetric assay. In addition, azide reduction to amines revealed a nondestructive route for highly amine-functionalized fibers. Fluorescence labeling of f-PCL-N(3) fibers with FITC-alkyne fluorophore proved that the azide groups are mainly surface-localized as well as highly available for click-chemistry coupling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't