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.