Cellulose Reinforced PCL Biomimetic Nanocomposites for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

This research project is based on the concept of elucidating development procedure of fabricating novel biomimetic nanocomposites for the application of bone tissue engineering and whose mechanical, morphological, compositional, biocompatible properties are compared with that of natural bone. These biomimetic nanocomposites are composed of biopolymer matrix in which nHA and nWH nanoparticles are embedded. Biopolymers such as PCL and MCC constitute the hybrid base matrix and effect of different weight ratios of nHA and nWH on the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites was investigated. Nanoparticles nHA and nWH were chemically synthesized by wet chemical precipitation and tri solvent system respectively. Nanoparticles were aged and calcined to regulate the growth of their size and morphology. These synthesis methods were based on aqueous systems and offered control over the size and morphology of the nanoparticles. Blends of PCL and MCC are prepared by taking 5-15% of MCC with subsequent PCL matrix using solvent casting method. Tensile strength evaluation suggested PCL/MCC-5 blend composition for further nanoparticle addition. Nanoparticles were dispersed into biopolymer blends by adopting solvent casting technique and nanocomposites with different weight loadings of nHA and nWH were successfully prepared. Effect of altering weight loading on the nanocomposites were evaluated and characterized through Compression testing, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Biocompatibility testing using cell lines and swelling assay. SEM was carried out to study the morphological characteristics while compression testing was carried out to optimize and evaluate mechanical strength. Cell culture was performed on vero cell line to investigate biocompatibility of these nanocomposites. This study revealed that mechanical properties of the polymer blends can be enhanced on the addition of nanoparticles and optimized to make it comparable to that of natural bone. Cell viability data shows that biocompatibility on the whole is around 85% and with inclusion of nanoparticles it reaches upto 95%. These results demonstrate that hybrid polymer nanocomposites possess desirable biocompatibility and tensile strength that make them a promising bone implants.