Investigation of the Morphology of Polymeric Wound Healers

Investigation of the Morphology of Novel Anthraquinone-Containing Polymeric Wound Healers Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer with anthraquinone addition will enable nanocomposite mat production using nanotechnological electrospinning technique. Material properties will be determined through morphological (Scanning Electron Microscopy-SEM) and mechanical (tensile) analyses of the produced nanocomposites. Nanofiber wound dressing tapes containing original anthraquinone analogues are expected to provide a new perspective for future healthcare sector and biomaterial studies.

1. Introduction

Skin is the organ with the largest surface area protecting our body against external factors, consisting of three main components: epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat layer. While the outer epidermis protects the body against damage such as burns and wounds, the inner dermis protects the body against trauma. The main structural component of the underlying dermis is collagen, found in fibrils (Lee, 2000; Kazaroglu, N.M., 2009). Wound healing means restoring the integrity of tissue or organ after injury. Damaged tissues are partially or completely repaired (Topalan, M. and Aktaş, Ş., 2010). In this study, PVA nanofiber membranes with chloroanthraquinone additive were produced using electrospinning technique. The produced membranes were characterized. The obtained composite membranes are intended to be used as a wound dressing providing ideal properties.

2. Material and Method

2.1. Material

In this study, PVA from Sigma/Aldrich (Germany) with molecular weight 85,000-124,000 g/mol was used. Parchment paper was preferred during the electrospinning stage.

2.2. Method

2.2.1. Production of Wound-Healing Nanofiber Membranes by Electrospinning Method

The electrospinning parameters required for wound-healing nanofiber membrane production are shown in Table 2.1. The nanofiber membranes obtained will be placed in a vacuum oven and dried at 50°C for one day. The schematic representation of the electrospinning production of anthraquinone-added nanotechnological wound dressing tape is given in Figure 2.1.

2.2.2. Characterization Studies of Nanocomposite Mats

Morphological Analysis

Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEGSEM)

Nanofiber composites will be coated with gold-palladium material under argon gas for 40 seconds. After the coating process, samples will be imaged in a Quanta brand FEI FEG450 model FEGSEM device at x12000 magnification using high and low vacuum detectors.

Mechanical Analysis Tensile Test

Tensile testing of nanofiber composites will be performed on a DEVOTRANS brand DVT UZM K3 model tensile-compression test device according to ASTM D882-10 standards. Mechanical properties will be determined by applying a tensile speed of 5 mm²/min under 500 N load and setting the jaw spacing to 10 mm.  

3. Conclusion and Discussion

Morphological (SEM) Analysis

Nanofiber formation was observed in all samples. When anthraquinone analogue was added, fibers were packed more tightly. While fiber orientation increased further, the highest strength in this study was achieved in the 10% PVA-8% Unique anthraquinone derivative sample (Özkan and Şahin TR2016/19610; Bulus et al., 2020). SEM images of nanofiber membranes are shown in Figures 3.1., 3.2., 3.3., 3.4., and 3.5. The nanofiber size distribution range of nanofiber membranes is shown in Table 3.1.

4. Results

In this study, PVA nanofiber membranes with anthraquinone additive were produced using electrospinning technique. According to characterization studies, fiber diameters are in the range of 170-230 nm according to morphological characterization, and they have the finest fibers in this study. The finest fibers were determined to belong to the 10% PVA-8% Anthraquinone compound. The obtained composites are intended to serve as an ideal wound dressing tape.

Acknowledgment

This study was financially supported by İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project No: BEK-2017-26753) for equipment and material provision. We thank ArelPOTKAM for their contributions to determining the mechanical properties in the production and material procurement of nanofiber membranes.     References 1. Lee, K.H., Tissue-engineered human living skin substitutes: Development and clinical application, Yonsei Medical Journal, 2000, 41, 6, 774-779. 2. Kazaroglu, N.M. Alternative tissue scaffolds for wound dressings: in vitro studies, 2009. 3. Topalan, M., & Aktaş, Ş. (2010). Chronic Wound in Current Aspects. 4. Ozkok, F., Sahin, Y.M. Bioactive Anthraquinone Analogues and Methods for Their Synthesis. TR2016/19610. 5. Buluş, E., Buluş, G. S., Akkaş, M., Cetin, T., Yaman, E., & Altındal, T. (2020). Nanotechnological Wound Healing Bandage Production from Polymer Solutions Containing Tea Tree Oil, Echinacea, Spider Web and Aloe Vera. Journal Of Materials And Electronıc Devices, 6(1), 19-23.   Research Assistant Dr. Funda Özkok - Department of Chemistry Faculty of Engineering İstanbul Cerrahpaşa University Prof. Dr. Nihal Onul - Department of Chemistry Faculty of Engineering İstanbul Cerrahpaşa University Associate Prof. Dr. Yeşim Müge Şahin - ArelPOTKAM Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Architecture İstanbul Arel University Instructor Erdi Buluş - ArelPOTKAM Department of Transportation Services Civil Aviation Cabin Services Program Vocational School İstanbul Arel University Gülseren Sakarya Buluş - Specialist Nurse İstanbul Provincial Health Directorate Department of Engineering Management Graduate Education Institute Bahçeşehir University