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Importance of refrigeration time in the electrospinning of silk fibroin aqueous solutions

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Abstract

Refrigeration is a common method for preserving reconstituted silk fibroin (RSF) aqueous solutions during electrospinning experiments, but the effects of preservation time at 4 °C are still not well documented. In this work, we explore its effects on the viscosity, refractive index, and density values of RSF solutions at 19 wt%. Also, extensive characterization of the mechanical properties and fiber diameters of the resulting electrospun meshes are provided. Significant differences were found in elongation, Young´s modulus, and ultimate strength at different experimental times, and an increase in the viscosity values of the RSF solutions was detected for the first 12 days of storage. These solutions exhibited a continuous, slow gelation throughout the time in storage at 4 °C, and this phenomenon improved the performance of electrospinning after a certain period of refrigeration. The protocol used reduces the production cost of SF fiber-based scaffolds and avoids the use of harsh solvents and additives which could otherwise limit their use in potential biomedical applications.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge financial support from the European Commission (FEDER/ERDF), the Spanish MINECO Projects (MAT2011-24973 and CICYT CTQ2011-25613), and the SÉNECA foundation (1195/PI/09). Dr. A. Abel Lozano-Pérez’s research contract was partially supported (80 %) by the FEDER Operative Program of the Region of Murcia 2007–2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDA), La Alberca, 30150, Murcia, Spain

    Salvador D. Aznar-Cervantes, A. Abel Lozano-Pérez, Daniel Vicente-Cervantes & Jose L. Cenis

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia (UMU), Campus De Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain

    Mercedes García Montalbán & Gloria Víllora

Authors
  1. Salvador D. Aznar-Cervantes
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  2. A. Abel Lozano-Pérez
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  3. Mercedes García Montalbán
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  4. Gloria Víllora
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  5. Daniel Vicente-Cervantes
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  6. Jose L. Cenis
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Correspondence to Salvador D. Aznar-Cervantes.

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Aznar-Cervantes, S.D., Lozano-Pérez, A.A., García Montalbán, M. et al. Importance of refrigeration time in the electrospinning of silk fibroin aqueous solutions. J Mater Sci 50, 4879–4887 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9032-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9032-y

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