Physical, Chemical, and Thermal Analysis of Electrospun Membranes Of Porcine Collagen and Sodium Heparin for Use In Biomedicine

Techniques such as electrospinning mediated by the generation of an electrostatic field have allowed the development of fibrillar biomaterials at the micro and nanometric scale, characteristics that can be modulated by changes in voltage, flow, polymer concentrations, miscibility, and volumetric ratios.The intrinsic physicochemical and mechanical properties of micro- and nanocomposites allow their application in the biomedical field, either as drug delivery vehicles or biological support structures. The aim of this research was to develop a three-dimensional fibrillar structure composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), porcine collagen, and low-molecular-weight sodium heparin. The electrospun membranes were crosslinked and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), stress-strain testing, and contact angle measurements. The results demonstrate 3D structures with fibrillar morphology with multiscale heterogeneity. Furthermore, the presence of functional groups such as OH, amides, sulfates, and carboxyls was identified, which demonstrates the interaction of the synthetic polymer, protein, and drug. On the other hand, TGA identified phases of polymer evaporation and degradation. Stress-strain curves showed modulus and yield strength variations depending on the polymer concentration. The contact angle results showed changes in hydrophilicity associated with heterogeneity in fiber diameters. The type of structure developed exhibits dynamic characteristics that could favor biological interactions with recognition of active cellular sites for its application in nanomedicine. Keywords - Electrospun Membrane, Porcine Collagen, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Heparin