On the detailed mechanical response investigation of PHBV/PCL and PHBV/PLGA electrospun mats

In this study, electrospun mats of pristine poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), Poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), as well as PHBV/PCL blends and PHBV/PLGA blends in different ratios (80:20, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 20:80, 10:90, 5:95%, w/w) and Centella Asiatica (CA) loaded (1, 5, 10%, w/v) PHBV/PCL and PHBV/PLGA polyester blends were prepared. Electrospun mats were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to show uniform and bead and defect-free fiber structure with average diameter. The blend ratio and strain rate dependencies of mechanical behavior of these electrospun membranes were investigated under tensile loading. The tensile tests were conducted at an initial strain rates of 10−1 s−1, 10−2 s−1, 10−3 s−1 and 10−4 s−1 at room temperature and the best and worst combinations of PHBV/PLGA, PHBV/PCL blend ratios for both stress and ductility required applications were specified for each strain rate. The effects of blend ratios on the tensile strength and Young's modulus were also investigated. Moreover, the effects of Centella Asiatica on the electrospun membranes' mechanical behavior were demonstrated at different strain rates. Consequently, this study constitutes an important guideline for the selection and usage of the aforementioned electrospun membranes as a wound dressing material in terms of mechanical response at different loading scenarios.