Malte Mittelhaus

Master student

Fabrication of films and 3D-structures by electrophoretic deposition of biopolymers and composites for tissue regeneration

 

Supervisors: Muhammad Asim Akhtar, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

The relevance of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in the field of biomaterials is growing rapidly, due to its versatility and the possibility to process materials, including biological materials, at room temperature [1].  EPD has mainly been used for coatings and surface modification but offers the possibility to produce self-standing films and 3D-structures. This study aims to use chitosan as the main material for such film and 3D-structure preparation, as it exhibits biodegradability, low toxicity and good film forming properties [2]. By adding other polymers, therapeutics and filler materials like bioactive glass, the generated films and 3D-structures can be tailored to the desired application.

[1] Boccaccini A. R., Keim S., Ma R., Li Y. and Zhitomirsky I., Electrophoretic deposition of biomaterials, Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Bd. 7, pp. 581-613, 2010.

[2] Rinaudo M., Chitin and chitosan: Properties and applications, Progress in Polymer Science, Bd. 31, Nr. 7, pp. 603-632, 2006.