Raw Data_Electrospun membranes as a porous barrier for molecular transport membrane characterization and release assessment.xlsx

Electrospun nanofibers have been extensively studied for drug release from
the inside of the fibres, but have been barely looked at for their potential to
control release as a semi-permeable membrane. This study investigated molecular
transport behaviours across nanofiber membranes with different micro-structure
sizes and compositions. Four types of membranes made by 5% and 10% PCL solutions
either electro-spun with or without calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
nanoparticle were tested for membrane morphology, porosity, tensile strength,
contact angle of water and their impacts on molecular transport behaviours. The
presence of CaCO3 nanoparticles made the 5% membranes stronger but
the 10% membranes weaker due to the different locations of the nanoparticles
with the corresponding fibres. Solute transport studies found the 5% membranes can
further retard release from the 10% membranes, regardless of only half the
amount of material being used for synthesis. The addition of CaCO3
nanoparticles aided the water permeation process and accelerated the initial transport.
The difference in release profiles between 5% and 10% membranes suggests
different release mechanisms, with membrane-permeability dominated release for
5% PCL membranes and solute-concentration-gradient dominated release for 10%
PCL membranes.