Nanocomposites of Electrospun Poly[(D,L-lactic)-co-(glycolic acid)] and Plasma-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

The conductance of amine-functionalized SWCNTs (a-SWCNTs), obtained by inductively coupled N-2/H-2 plasma treatment of commercially available carboxyl-functionalized SWCNTs (c-SWCNTs), was decreased compared to that of the c-SWCNTs. As a result, the diameter and surface energy of electrospun PLGA/a-SWCNT nanocomposites decreased and increased, respectively, compared to those of electrospun PLGA/c-SWCNT nanocomposites. The results also showed that the a-SWCNTs were well dispersed in the nanocomposites, improved adhesion of SWCNTs to the surrounding polymer matrix and thereby enhanced the tensile modulus of electrospun PLGA/c-SWCNT and PLGA/a-SWCNT nanocomposites by 127 and 226%, respectively, compared to that of electrospun PLGA membranes.