Application of Amino Acids in the Modification of Polylactic Acid Nanofiber Scaffolds

In this study, thermal-induced phase separation technology (TIPS) and ammonolysis method were used to prepare modified polylactic acid (PLLA) nanofiber scaffolds with higher hydrophilicity using serine (Ser), glycine (Gly), and lysine (Lys) solutions as ammonolysis agents to prepare modified PLLA nanofibers. The results showed that aminolysis reduced the molecular weight of PLLA, and the introduction of amino acids affected the scaffold morphology and provided a better condition to prepare nanofiber scaffolds. The water contact angle of the modified PLLA nanofiber scaffold prepared by amino acids was improved compared to the unmodified PLLA scaffold. The modified PLLA nanofiber scaffold prepared from Ser, Gly, Lys exhibited lower mechanical properties than the PLLA scaffold prepared from water, meeting the pressure resistance requirements of engineered cartilage tissue scaffolds.