Polycaprolactone/chitosan-graft-graphene oxide-based composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
TL;DR
It is suggested that the PCL/CS-g-GO composite scaffolds possess excellent physicochemical, biological, and mechanical properties, making them promising candidates for applications in bone tissue engineering (BTE).
Abstract
Abstract Novel three-dimensional (3D) porous composite scaffolds, composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan-grafted graphene oxide (CS-g-GO), were fabricated using the freeze-drying technique. The physicochemical properties of these scaffolds were analyzed through FTIR, XRD, EDX, and SEM techniques. Porosity studies indicated an increase in scaffold porosity with rising graphene oxide (GO) content up to 5 wt%. The scaffolds with 5 wt% GO also exhibited superior water absorption properties, with a swelling degree of 566% and a water retention capacity of 252%. Moreover, the developed scaffolds demonstrated enhanced mechanical properties, with a compressive strength of approximately 4.62 MPa. Antimicrobial efficacy tests revealed that the PCL/CS-g-GO scaffolds effectively inhibited the growth of both bacteria and fungi. The improved cell viability of PCL/CS-g-GO scaffolds was confirmed through the MTT assay using the C3H10T1/2 cell line, ensuring their safety for biological applications. Furthermore, Alizarin Red Staining highlighted the osteogenic potential of the PCL/CS-g-GO scaffolds. These results collectively suggest that the PCL/CS-g-GO composite scaffolds possess excellent physicochemical, biological, and mechanical properties, making them promising candidates for applications in bone tissue engineering (BTE).