Single-step Protein Surface-attachment to Electrospun Fibers

Proof of the concept has been established through series of electrospinning experiments with different PEO and block copolymer concentrations. An increase of the surface peptide functional groups characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) indicates 5~10 times aggregation of the block copolymer on the surface of the electrospun fibers. By varying the PEO and BCP concentrations, conditions to control the surface modification have been investigated. For further research on the effect of other parameters for the electrospinning mechanism, such as viscosity and conductivity property of the polymer blend solutions; morphology and crystallinity of the beads and fiber structures etc, we used Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), normal and Confocal-Raman Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM and CR-AFM), viscometer to investigate the comprehensive influence. AFM has been purchased and will be applied for fundamental research of the electric field effect on the polymer movement in the solution of film casting process for further research.