UV-mediated solid-state cross-linking of electrospinning nanofibers of modified collagen.

The modified collagen with double bonds was electrospun into nanofibers membrane cured with photo-initiated polymerization under UV irradiation. The morphology and chemical structures were characterized by SEM and FTIR. Both the water resistance and mechanical properties were improved after UV-crosslinking. Then 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was used as a model drug to prepare drug-loaded collagen nanofiber membrane cured with photo-initiated polymerization under UV irradiation. In vitro release results showed that drug release could be effectively controlled through UV-crosslinking. Furthermore, the release mechanism of drugs from electrospun mats was confirmed to be Fickian diffusion.