Switchable Wettability of Thermo-Responsive Biocompatible Nanofibrous Films Created by Electrospinning

Thermo-responsive PNIPAAm/PLLA nanofibrous films with tunable surface morphologies and better biocompatibility were prepared by electrospinning technique. The electrospun composite films possessed a bead-on-string structure. The wettability of nanofibrous films was observed by water CA measurements. The results showed that the electrospinning process and addition of PLLA did not change the thermosensitivity of PNIPAAm. The wettability of electrospun PNIPAAm/PLLA composite films could switch from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic when the temperature increased from 20 to 50 degrees C. Electrospinning is a promising way to create stimuli-responsive surfaces with potential application in the design and tactics of controllable drug delivery system.