Bioinspired Electropun Fibrous Materials Based on Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate and Hemin: Preparation, Physicochemical Properties, and Weathering

Influence of the ozone treatment on the environmental degradation of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate

The effect of oxidation on the structure and properties of polyesters remains an urgent issue due to the prospects for regulating the stability of the polymer and modifying its surface. The available data on the effect of ozone on the structure and properties of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), in particular on the rate of its destruction, are contradictory. So, the purpose of the work was to study the effect of ozone oxidation on structure and properties of PHB to find the impact of the ozone treatment on controlling the rate of the biodegradation in environmental conditions. The surface of PHB films was modified using ozone treatment to accelerate its biodegradation rate in soil. The essence of ozonation is in the accumulation of various oxygen-containing functional groups, which leads to increased intermolecular interaction of PHB chains, which leads to the hardening of the surface. It was shown that the ozone treatment of the surface slowed down the diffusion of destructors to the volume of the PHB and prevented the fragmentation of the film. In addition, the strength of the films after 5 h of ozonation increased from 25 to 42 MPa, but the wetting angle did not change and no significant change in the surface crystallinity were detected before the soil exposure of the films. The soil burial test showed an approximately 1.5-fold decrease in the biodegradation rate for the ozone-treated sample. This study demonstrated that the surface morphology created by ozone treatment formed a unique outer layer of a new morphology. Ozonated PHB films were more resistant to fragmentation and remained stable in the soil for 300 days, while the control sample of PHB completely decomposed in 240 days. The paper discusses the causes and consequences of these observations and the role of ozone treatment for the modification of PHB surface. The results obtained can be used to control the rate of degradation and to predict the behavior of sterilized products in the field of packaging, medical products, and products with a limited service life due to the understanding of mechanism of surface modification.

Porphyrin-based electrospun nanomaterials for life science applications

Porphyrins are renowned for their utility in photocatalysis, electronics, sensors, solar cell dyes, and environmental remediation. However, their potential in life sciences applications remains underexplored, particularly in the context of encapsulation via electrospinning. This review examines recent advancements (2000-2025) in electrospinning techniques for encapsulating porphyrins, highlighting their unique properties, bioactivities, and versatile applications in life sciences. By combining the strengths of porphyrins and electrospinning technology, researchers can unlock transformative solutions for various life-science challenges, which include photodynamic therapy (PDT), composite materials for anti-microbial applications, sensors, and drug delivery. These efforts could push porphyrin-encapsulated materials from research concepts to applied societal solutions, addressing critical needs in healthcare and beyond to other fields.

Life Cycle of Functional All-Green Biocompatible Fibrous Materials Based on Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate and Hemin: Synthesis, Service Life, and the End-of-Life via Biodegradation

This article addresses the entire life cycle of the all-green fibrous materials based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) containing a natural biocompatible additive Hemin (Hmi): from preparation, service life, and the end of life upon in-soil biodegradation. Fibrous PHB/Hmi materials with a highly developed surface and interconnected porosity were prepared by electrospinning (ES) from Hmi-containing feed solutions. Structural organization of the PHB/Hmi materials (porosity, uniform structure, diameter of fibers, surface area, distribution of Hmi within the PHB matrix, phase composition, etc.) is shown to be governed by the ES conditions: the presence of even minor amounts of Hmi in the PHB/Hmi (below 5 wt %) serves as a powerful tool for the control over their structure, performance, and biodegradation. Service characteristics of the PHB/Hmi materials (wettability, prolonged release of Hmi, antibacterial activity, breathability, and mechanical properties) were studied by different physicochemical methods (scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle measurements, antibacterial tests, etc.). The effect of the structural organization of the PHB/Hmi materials on their in-soil biodegradation at the end of life was analyzed, and key factors providing efficient biodegradation of the PHB/Hmi materials at all stages (from adaptation to mineralization) are highlighted (high surface area and porosity, thin fibers, release of Hmi, etc.). The proposed approach allows for target-oriented preparation and structural design of the functional PHB/Hmi nonwovens when their structural supramolecular organization with a highly developed surface area controls both their service properties as efficient antibacterial materials and in-soil biodegradation upon the end of life.

Electrospinning of biomimetic materials with fibrinogen for effective early-stage wound healing

Electrospun biomimetic materials based on polyester of natural origin poly-3-hudroxybutyrate (PHB) modified with hemin (Hmi) and fibrinogen (Fbg) represent a great interest and are potentially applicable in various fields. Here, we describe formulation of the new fibrous PHB-Fbg and PHB-Hmi-Fbg materials with complex structure for biomedical application. The average diameter of the fibers was 3.5 μm and 1.8 μm respectively. Hmi presence increased porosity from 80 % to 94 %, significantly reduced the number of defects, ensured the formation of a larger number of open pores, and improved mechanical properties. Hmi presence significantly improved the molding properties of the material. Hmi facilitated effective Fbg adsorption on the of the PHB wound-healing material, ensuring uniform localization of the protein on the surface of the fibers. Next, we evaluated cytocompatibility, cell behavior, and open wound healing in mice. The results demonstrated that PHB-Fbg and PHB-Hmi-Fbg electrospun materials had pronounced properties and may be promising for early-stage wound healing - the PHB-Hmi-Fbg sample accelerated wound closure by 35 % on the 3rd day, and PHB-Hmi showed 45 % more effective wound closure on the 15th day.

Biomimetic Materials Based on Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and Chlorophyll Derivatives

Electrospinning of biomimetic materials is of particular interest due to the possibility of producing flexible layers with highly developed surfaces from a wide range of polymers. Additionally, electrospinning is characterized by a high simplicity of implementation and the ability to modify the produced fibrous materials, which resemble structures found in living organisms. This study explores new electrospun materials based on polyhydroxyalkanoates, specifically poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, modified with chlorophyll derivatives. The research investigates the impact of chlorophyll derivatives on the morphology, supramolecular structure, and key properties of nonwoven materials. The obtained results are of interest for the development of new flexible materials with low concentrations of chlorophyll derivatives.

Structure and Performance of All-Green Electrospun PHB-Based Membrane Fibrous Biomaterials Modified with Hemin

This work addresses the challenges concerning the development of "all-green" high-performance biodegradable membrane materials based on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and a natural biocompatible functional additive, iron-containing porphyrin, Hemin (Hmi) via modification and surface functionalization. A new facile and versatile approach based on electrospinning (ES) is advanced when modification of the PHB membranes is performed by the addition of low concentrations of Hmi (from 1 to 5 wt.%). Structure and performance of the resultant {HB/Hmi membranes were studied by diverse physicochemical methods, including differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, etc. Modification of the PHB fibrous membranes with Hmi allows control over their quality, supramolecular structure, morphology, and surface wettability. As a result of this modification, air and liquid permeability of the modified electrospun materials markedly increases. The proposed approach provides preparation of high-performance all-green membranes with tailored structure and performance for diverse practical applications, including wound healing, comfort textiles, facial protective masks, tissue engineering, water and air purification, etc.

Biocompatibility and Antimicrobial Activity of Electrospun Fibrous Materials Based on PHB and Modified with Hemin

The effect of the hemin (Hmi) on the structure and properties of nanocomposite electrospun materials based on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is discussed in the article. The additive significantly affected the morphology of fibers allowed to produce more elastic material and provided high antimicrobial activity. The article considers also the impact of the hemin on the biocompatibility of the nonwoven material based on PHB and the prospects for wound healing.