The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable piezoelectric polymer, but its low electromechanical output limits practical applications. Here, nanofibrous PLLA scaffolds with porous and hollow structures were fabricated via a solvent-miscibility-driven phase separation process to control morphology. Structure optimization increased the β-phase content and enhanced piezoelectric performance. Hollow PLLA scaffolds exhibited the highest voltage generation under cyclic mechanical loading. In vitro results further confirmed promoted proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. This study demonstrates that processing-induced structural engineering effectively improves the functional performance of PLLA scaffolds for cartilage regeneration. Moreover, this platform enables active modulation of the cellular microenvironment without external power sources, highlighting its potential as a next-generation bioelectrical scaffold for tissue regeneration.