A study on the role of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the properties of electrospun Poly(Caprolactone)/Poly(Glycerol sebacate) scaffold for nerve tissue applications

Abstract

Nerve tissue engineering is an alternative interdisciplinary strategy with the aim of regenerating damaged nerves by combining life science and engineering. In the present work, aligned PCL/PGS fibers containing different amounts of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs; 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt) are fabricated using electrospinning technique. The effect of MWCNTs loading on the morphology and diameter of the electrospun fibers is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used to show how MWCNTs are distributed in the fibers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), tensile strength, contact angle, degradation and water uptake analyses are utilized to assess the physicochemical properties of scaffolds. Cell viability and adhesion on PCL/PGS/MWCNTs fibers are employed through MTT assay and SEM analysis, respectively. The results revealed all fibers were aligned and uniform in mean diameter showing a decrease from 833 to 476 nm by increasing MWCNTs. TEM images indicated that the embedded MWCNTs particles into fibers are oriented along the electrospinning direction. The Young's modulus, ultimate tensile strength, wettability, and water uptake of the scaffolds increased with the increase of MWCNTs unlike the degradation rate. The examination of Rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12)viability and adhesion demonstrated the positive effect of MWCNTs on cell-scaffold interaction. Finally, the results suggested PCL/PGS/MWCNTs scaffolds as a promising biodegradable biomaterial for nerve tissue engineering.