A Design of Experiment (DOE) approach to correlate PLA-PCL electrospun fibers diameter and mechanical properties for soft tissue regeneration purposes

Many parameters are involved in electrospun fibers development; depending on application field fibers have to exhibit defined properties regarding fibers diameter and mechanical properties. A valid method to study and predict electrospinning parameters interactions is Design of Experiment (DOE) approach. DOE method takes into account the interaction between various selected parameters using a linear regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) mathematical models. Moreover, from DOE design is possible to achieve a test model prediction obtaining equations useful to calculate in advance values of desired output.& nbsp;In this work poly-L-lactide-poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PLA-PCL) 70:30 ratio electrospun fibers were selected as model to obtain a DOE design considering as independent parameters: polymeric solution concentration (w/v%), needle (gauge) and spinning time (min). As design output or dependent variables were selected fibers diameter (mu m) and elongation %.& nbsp;To confirm validity of DOE, predictive equations obtained from model were used to calculate fibers diameter and elongation % and compared with experimental results obtained for PLA-PCL 20%w/v electrospun matrix obtained using 25G needle and electrospun for 20 min. Results calculated from predictive model (Fibers diameter:1.101 mu m; Elongation %: 111.96%) were experimentally confirmed (Fibers diameter: 1.05 +/- 0.26 mu m; Elongation %: 143 +/- 32.9%).

Automated summary

Design of Experiment (DOE) approach is an effective method to study and predict the interactions between electrospinning parameters, and it can calculate the desired output values by establishing mathematical models. In this study, the DOE method successfully predicted the effects of polymer solution concentration, needle gauge, and spinning time on the fiber diameter and elongation percentage.