Phospholipid nonwoven electrospun membranes

Science. 2006 Jan 20;311(5759):353-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1119790.

Abstract

Nonwoven fibrous membranes were formed from electrospinning lecithin solutions in a single processing step. As the concentration of lecithin increased, the micellar morphology evolved from spherical to cylindrical, and at higher concentrations the cylindrical micelles overlapped and entangled in a fashion similar to polymers in semi-dilute or concentrated solutions. At concentrations above the onset of entanglements of the wormlike micelles, electrospun fibers were fabricated with diameters on the order of 1 to 5 micrometers. The electrospun phospholipid fibers offer the potential for direct fabrication of biologically based, high-surface-area membranes without the use of multiple synthetic steps, complicated electrospinning designs, or postprocessing surface treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Micelles*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry*
  • Polymers
  • Solutions
  • Static Electricity*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Micelles
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Polymers
  • Solutions