Student(s): Matthew Mastowski
Project: The Influence of Solution Temperature on the Formation of Coacervate Fibers from Solution Blow Spinning
Advisor(s): Whitney Blocher McTigue
Abstract
Complex coacervates are an emerging class of soft materials with tunable rheological properties and high encapsulation capacity, making them attractive for biomedical applications such as tissue scaffolding and wound healing. Recent work has demonstrated that these materials can be processed into fibrous mats using solution blow spinning (SBS), providing a scalable route for tissue scaffolding. However, the relationships between processing conditions, material properties, and resulting fiber morphology remain incompletely understood. In prior studies, complexes of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) at 50:50 charge conditions were successfully spun into fibers using SBS. Processing parameters including working distance, flow rate, and pressure significantly influenced morphology. Shorter working distances (5 to 10 cm) produced denser mats with reduced fiber diameter dispersion, while longer distances increased droplet formation and reduced deposition efficiency. Lower flow rates improved fiber layering and uniformity. Building on these findings, the present work investigates temperature as an additional processing variable. Coacervate systems are evaluated over a temperature range of 5 to 60°C in 5°C increments. Rheological measurements using a rotational rheometer quantify viscosity at different temperatures with oscillatory and flow measurements and are correlated with fiber formation. This ongoing study aims to define temperature-dependent processing windows for SBS of complex coacervates, enabling improved control of fiber morphology for biomedical scaffold design.
About Matthew Mastowski
Major: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Matthew Mastowski is a fourth-year Chemical Engineering student at Lehigh University. Since his sophomore year, he has conducted research in the Blocher McTigue Lab, focusing on solution blow spinning of complex coacervates into fiber-based materials for wound healing applications. His work has contributed to advancements in biomaterials design, and he is a co-first author on a publication in the Journal of Polymer Science. He has presented his research at the 2025 AIChE Regional Conference and the 2025 AIChE National Conference. Through this work, Matthew has developed strong skills in experimental design, materials processing, and data analysis. He plans to pursue a PhD in chemical engineering to continue advancing research in biomaterials and soft matter systems.