Polyurethane/58S bioglass nanofibers: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation

Abstract

In this study, polyurethane nanofibers containing 5 and 10 wt% synthesized 58S bioglass were designed and fabricated by the electrospinning process. The physicochemical and mechanical properties and in vitro behavior of the scaffolds were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) uptake, in vitro bioactivity, MTT assay, and cellular response. The FTIR results showed an increase in the urethane bond between the OH (from BG) and NCO (from PU) groups with the increase in BG. When the BG amount increased from 5% to 10%, the contact angle decreased to approximately 20° and the PBS uptake of the scaffold increased because of the hydrophilic property of the BG particles. DMTA showed that the glass transition temperature started to shift slightly to higher temperatures from −17 °C to −15 °C. SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis depicted hydroxyapatite formation on the scaffolds upon immersion in SBF. Cell proliferation and viability also increased significantly with the increase in BG. It is concluded that this composition provides a novel alternative for bone tissue engineering.