Fabrication and characterization of fibrin/carbon nanotubes electro spun composite scaffold for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, biodegradable polymer Nano compositesdue to their good mechanical properties and biocompatibility play importance role in tissue engineering. The aim of this study is to design and assess the cell viability in reinforced Nano composite scaffold fibrin/PVA with carbon nanotubes to be electro spun. Methods: The Nano composite scaffold fibrin/PVA reinforced with carbon nanotubes with four different ratios of carbon nanotube scaffolds were prepared by electro spinning. The porosity of the scaffolds with use ofMatlab Software, the shape of the porosity, their distribution, and the size of the Nano fibers were all characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The water absorption test and tensile and contact angle measurements were performed. In addition, MTT assay and trypan blue staining was also performed in order to evaluate the cell viability on the scaffold. Results: The mean diameter of fiber fibrin scaffold/poly vinyl alcohol reinforced with carbon nanotubes was 250 nm. Carbon nanotubes were added to increase the strength and reduce the hydrophobicity of the scaffold. Average size and the porosity of all samples were in the acceptable range and suitable for cell culture (84.08). The average contact angle (34.26 degrees) and average water absorption in all cases confirmed the hydrophobicity of the scaffold (78.61). The cell viability assay showed a significant difference (p-value <0.05) in comparison to the control groups. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that Nano composite scaffold fibrin/PVA reinforced with carbon nanotubes could be used in cartilage and nerve tissue engineering.