Tuning size scale and crystallinity of PCL electrospun fibres via solvent permittivity to address hMSC response.

The effect of solvent permittivity on the fibre morphology of PCL electrospun membranes for tissue engineering applications is studied. Morphological results indicate that polar solvents with higher permittivity are able to promote the formation of sub-micrometric fibres, while apolar solvents yield microfibres with an average fibre diameter of 2.86 ± 0.31 µm. Polymer/solvent interactions and electrospinning process parameters influence the mechanism of fibre and bead formation. It is shown that the dielectric properties of solvents influence the fibre size scale and crystallinity and directly contribute to the biological response of stem cells. Solvent permittivity is a key factor in controlling the morphological and physical properties of electrospun fibre meshes.