Abstract

A major challenge in developing drug-releasing electro spun nanofibers is obtaining long-term drug release over many weeks with no burst release of drug. Here, we present new methods capable of prolonging the diffusive release of small molecule drugs from electro spun poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibers. The methods focus on removal of retained electrospinning solvent through fiber heating, maintaining fibers in a laboratory setting, or a combination of these methods. These post-fabrication methods altered the release characteristics of a model small molecule drug, 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN), from PLLA fibers. Specifically, untreated fibers released 6AN over 9 days, and fibers that underwent a combined treatment of maintenance in a laboratory setting and heating released 6AN over 44 days. The unique and simple method presented here prolongs diffusive release of a small molecule drug from electro spun fibers and has potential to assist in lengthening small molecule drug release from a variety of polymeric nanomaterials.

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Publication Status

Full Text Access

Keywords and Phrases

Biomaterials; Drug delivery; Electrospun fibers

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0032-3861

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

11 Aug 2017

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