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Electrospinnability of Poly Lactic-co-glycolic Acid (PLGA): the Role of Solvent Type and Solvent Composition

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ABSTRACT

Purpose

In this study, the electrospinnability of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) solutions was investigated, with a focus on understanding the influence of molecular weight of PLGA, solvent type and solvent composition on the physical properties of electrospun nanofibers.

Method

Various solvents were tested to dissolve two PLGA grades (50 KDa-RG755, 100 KDa-RG750). The viscoelasticity, surface tension, and evaporation rate of the PLGA solutions were characterized prior to the electrospinning process. The resulting electrospun nanofibers were characterized with respect to the morphology and mechanical properties.

Results

Two pairs of solvent mixtures, i.e. dimethylformamide (DMF)—tetrahydrofuran (THF) and DMF—chloroform (CHL), were identified to provide a stable cone-jet. Within the polymer concentration range studied (10–30%, w/v), RG750 solutions could be electrospun into uniform fibers at 30% (w/v) or at 20% (w/v) when modifying the solvent composition. In comparison to DMF-THF solution, fibers had larger diameter, higher stiffness and tensile strength when electrospun from DMF-CHL solution.

Conclusion

The high molecular weight polymer could ensure sufficient intermolecular interaction to generate uniform fibers. The solvent could influence the morphology and mechanical properties of the electrospun fibers by altering the properties of PLGA solution, and drying rate of fibers in the electrospinning process.

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Abbreviations

[η]:

Intrinsic viscosity

C*:

Overlap concentration

CHL:

Chloroform

DMF:

Dimethylformamide

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

G′:

Storage modulus

G″:

Loss modulus

GA:

Glycolic acid

LA:

Lactic acid

LVR:

Linear viscoelastic region

Mc :

Critical molecular weight

MW:

Molecular weight

PEG:

Polyethylene glycol

PEO:

Polyethylene oxide

PET-co-PEI:

Poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene isophthalate)

PGA:

Polyglycolic acid

PLA:

Polylactic acid

PLGA:

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)

Rcoil :

Polymer coil radius

SEM:

Scanning electron microscope

t:

Time of flow of the polymer solution

t0 :

Time of flow of the solvent solution

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analysis

THF:

Tetrahydrofuran

ηrel :

Relative viscosity

ηsp :

Specific viscosity

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND DISCLOSURES

This study was supported, in part, by Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences of University of Copenhagen, Department of Pharmacy of University of Copenhagen, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology of University of Southern Denmark, Technology and Production Sciences (FTP, Project 12-126515/0602-02670B) and the Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Xiaoli Liu, Stefania G. Baldursdottir, Johanna Aho, Jukka Rantanen & Mingshi Yang

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Odense, Denmark

    Haiyan Qu & Lars Porskjær Christensen

  3. Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road No. 103, 110016, Shenyang, China

    Mingshi Yang

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  1. Xiaoli Liu
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  2. Stefania G. Baldursdottir
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  3. Johanna Aho
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Correspondence to Mingshi Yang.

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Liu, X., Baldursdottir, S.G., Aho, J. et al. Electrospinnability of Poly Lactic-co-glycolic Acid (PLGA): the Role of Solvent Type and Solvent Composition. Pharm Res 34, 738–749 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-017-2100-z

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