Electrospun Bio-Based Polymer Coatings as Multifunctional, Biodegradable and Bioactive Layers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The development of sustainable and functional surface coatings has become a central theme in materials science due to increasing environmental concerns and expanding biomedical needs. This study reports the preparation and characterization of bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibrous coatings fabricated by electrospinning, aimed at delivering biodegradable and bioactive surfaces with controlled release functionality. Electrospinning enabled the formation of uniform nanofibrous coatings with high surface area and morphology reminiscent of extracellular matrices, presenting potential as multifunctional coating platforms. The obtained coatings were systematically evaluated for their physicochemical and biological properties, including antioxidant activity, cytocompatibility, and the controlled release of acetylsalicylic acid as a model bioactive agent. Release behavior was analyzed to elucidate the dominant transport mechanisms, revealing a biphasic profile characterized by an initial burst followed by sustained diffusion-controlled release. These results demonstrate that the electrospun PLA coatings successfully combine biodegradability, bioactivity, and tunable release properties within a bio-based polymer coating format. The findings highlight the potential of such bio-based polymer coatings for biomedical applications where biodegradable and functional surface solutions are required, and contribute to the broader advancement of eco-friendly and multifunctional coating technologies.