The effect of bioactive glass nanoparticles on polycaprolactone/chitosan scaffold: Melting enthalpy and cell viability

Bioactive glass nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel method. The composite nanofiber of the polycaprolactone/Chitosan/bioactive glass scaffolds for tissue engineering is successfully fabricated by electrospinning technology. Transmission electron microscope analysis showed that the synthesized nanoparticles had a spherical shape and uniform structure. The results of scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope revealed that the electrospun fibers had a smooth and uniform morphology, and the average diameter of electrospun nanofibers decreased with increase in the bioactive glass nanoparticles. Also, surface roughness significantly increased by adding nano-bioactive glass loading. Functional and mineral groups of scaffold materials were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and energy dispersive X-ray tests. The presence of bioactive glass into the scaffold, hydrophilicity, melting temperature, and cell proliferation increases. Furthermore, the nanoparticles reduce the melting enthalpy of the membrane by changing the polymer molecular structure. Following the reduction of enthalpy, Gibbs free energy is also decreased and the reactivity of nano-bioactive glass in the polymeric chain increases. In order to evaluate the cytotoxicity of polycaprolactone/Chitosan/bioactive glass nanofibers, human gingival fibroblast cells were cultured. Attachment and proliferation of the human gingival fibroblast cells on polycaprolactone/Chitosan/bioactive glass scaffolds were significantly better than the polycaprolactone/Chitosan composite. We expect electrospun scaffold containing polycaprolactone/Chitosan/bioactive glass is promising for cartilage regeneration