Modification of electrospun fibre surface through Surface Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Biomedical applications of electrospun porous non-woven mats require a particular attention towards fibre surface properties, given the high surface area to volume ratio associated with these kind of structures. Ad hoc modication of the surface properties of electrospun fibres, while maintaining the bulk properties of the constituting material, is crucial in determining their use and it is among important targets of the scientific community. In this work we use Surface Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (SI-ATRP) to modify the surface of electrospun Poly(L)lactic cid (PLLA) fibers. In particular, electrospun fibers grafted with poly(glycerol monomethacrylate), poly(GMMA) and poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), poly(DEAEMA), brushes were obtained with the aim to confer, respectively, non-fouling and antibacterial properties to PLLA fibres.