Table 1.
Studies reporting ES of chitosan and silk fibroin composite materials for tissue regeneration application.
| Researcher | Solvent | Materials | Key Findings and Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park et al., 2004 [93] | Formic acid | CH/SF blends of variable proportions | Reported the ES of CH/SF blended nano-fibres. The average fibre diameter was reduced with a narrow diameter distribution compared to SF nano-fibres. |
| Park 2006 [98] | HFIP | Chitin/SF blends of variable proportions | Chitin/SF remains immiscible in nano-fibres The average diameters decreased by increasing chitin contents. Biocompatible and good response for cell attachment and spreading, hence suitable for tissue regeneration applications |
| Yoo et al., 2008 [94] | HFIP | Chitin/SF blends of variable proportions chitin (5 wt.% in HFIP) and SF (7 wt.% in HFIP) | Confirmed all findings reported by Park et al., 2006 [76]. Chitin/SF solutions were electrospun simultaneously using a hybrid ES technique and nano-fibres were collected on a rotating target. Chitin/SF proportion was controlled by adjusting the flow rates. A narrow fibre diameter distribution (340–920 nm) was observed for chitin/SF nano-fibres compared to SF fibres (140–1260 nm). |
| Cai 2010 [100] | HFIP, TFE | CH/SF blends; CH contents (0%, 20%, 50%, and 80%) | CH/SF nano-fibrous membranes were successfully electrospun. The average fibre diameter was decreased with the increasing percentage of chitosan. CH/SF composites have better mechanical properties than CS. Electrospun materials were characterized for biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. Authors suggested these membranes as a promising candidate for wound healing applications. |
| Chen et al., 2012 [101] | mixed solvent [TFA], dichloromethane | CH/SF blends; CH contents (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) | Electrospun bead-free CH/SF nano-fibres The composite nano-fibres supported the growth and differentiation of human foetal osteoblasts. Authors reported that a suitable composition of these materials is suitable for bone TE applications. |
| Zhou et al., 2013 [92] | water | ES dope contained 2.5% (w/v) CH 9% (w/v) PVA in an aqueous solution. SF nanoparticles (4–8 wt.%) were added | Electrospun composite nanofibre membranes using water-soluble N-carboxyethyl CH/PVA/SF nanoparticles The morphology and diameter of the nano-fibres were affected by silk fibroin nanoparticles contents. Presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the molecules of carboxyethyl CH, SF and PVA. Electrospun nanomaterials demonstrated good biocompatibility and can be considered for potential tissue regeneration applications such as skin regeneration wound dressings. |
CH (chitosan); SF (silk fibroin); HFIP (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol); TFE (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol); TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) dichloromethane; PVA (polyvinyl alcohol).