Rachele Sergi

Visiting researcher, University of Modena and Reggio-Emilia, Italy

Title: New generation of electrospun fibres containing bioactive glass inclusions

 

Supervisors (in Erlangen): Dr. Liliana Liverani, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Different bioactive glass compositions have been developed over the years to enhance the biological performance of the materials. In particular, the inclusion of ions such as Sr, Mg, Cu and Zn, among other, promotes the bone development process or angiogenesis and introduces antibacterial properties [1]. The focus of this project is the incorporation of bioactive glass particles containing Sr, Mg [2] and Zn [3] (fabricatead at University of Modena and Reggio-Emilia, in the group of Prof. Valeria Cannillo) into poly(epsilon-caprolactone) fibers to obtain composites fabricated by electrospinning technique, following protocols developed at the Erlangen Institute of Biomaterials [4]. Electrospun composite fibers combine the properties of the organic matrix with the reinforcement of inorganic phase embedded into the fibrous mats, suitable for wound dressing and wound healing applications [4].

[1] A. Hoppe, N.S. Güldal, A.R. Boccaccini. A review of the biological response to ionic dissolution products from bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics. Biomaterials 32 (2011) 2757-2774.

[2] D. Bellucci, V. Cannillo. A novel bioactive glass containing strontium and magnesium with ultrahigh crystallization temperature. Mater Lett 213 (2018) 67–70.

[3] R. Sergi, D. Bellucci, R. Salvatori, G. Maisetta, G. Batoni, V. Cannillo. Zinc containing bioactive glasses with ultra-high crystallization temperature, good biological performance and antibacterial effects. Mat Sci Eng C 104 (2019) 109910

[4] L. Liverani, A. R. Boccaccini. Versatile Production of Poly(Epsilon-Caprolactone) Fibers by Electrospinning Using Benign Solvents. Nanomaterials 6 (2016) 75.