ABSTRACT
Herein we demonstrate the ability to fabricate polymeric microtubes with an inner diameter of approximately 3 microm through co-electrospinning of core and shell polymeric solutions. The mechanism by which the core/shell structure is transformed into hollow fibers (microtubes) is primarily based on the evaporation of the core solution through the shell and is described here in detail. Additionally, we present the filling of these microtubes, thus demonstrating their possible use in microfluidics. We also report the incorporation of a protein (green fluorescent protein) within such fibers, which is of interest for sensorics.
Subject(s)
Nanotechnology/methods , Nanotubes/chemistry , Polyesters/chemistry , Polyesters/chemical synthesis , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Polyethylene Glycols/chemical synthesis , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Solutions , Solvents , VolatilizationABSTRACT
Bacteria and viruses were encapsulated in electrospun polymer nanofibres. The bacteria and viruses were suspended in a solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in water and subjected to an electrostatic field of the order of 1 kV cm(-1). Encapsulated bacteria in this work, (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus albus) and bacterial viruses (T7, T4, λ) managed to survive the electrospinning process while maintaining their viability at fairly high levels. Subsequently the bacteria and viruses remain viable during three months at -20 and -55 °C without a further decrease in number. The present results demonstrate the potential of the electrospinning process for the encapsulation and immobilization of living biological material.
