A first method for preparation of biodegradable fibrous scaffolds containing iodine on the fibre surfaces

Fibrous electrospun scaffolds made of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly( $$\upvarepsilon $$ -caprolactone) (PCL) were modified with iodine using ‘solvent/non-solvent’ treatment of the polymer through two-step process. At the first step, the scaffolds were treated with mixture of toluene and ethanol for pre-swelling of the fibre surfaces. Then, treated scaffolds were exposed to iodine vapours to entrap iodine on the polymer surface. Concentration of iodine in obtained materials was measured by means of UV-spectrophotometry. Morphology of the modified scaffolds was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Proposed modification had no significant effect on mechanical properties of the scaffolds and their morphologies. Obtained materials demonstrated the E. coli’s antimicrobial activity depending on iodine concentration.