Fabrication and Simulation of PICT/PAN Based Nonwoven NanoFabric for Guided Bone Regeneration

Abstract

This master’s thesis presents a comprehensive study on the development of a nonwoven coaxial nanofibrous polymeric scaffold for potential use in hard tissue engineering and regenerative applications, specifically for bone regeneration. The main objective was to create a controlled drug delivery system that meets the required standards for bone regeneration applications. Various scaffolding techniques were investigated, and electrospinning was chosen as the preferred method due to its advantages such as higher product selectivity, cost-effectiveness, high production rate, simplicity, stability, and compatibility with bone tissue. The scaffold was designed to have well-defined core and shell structures, with ZnO/HA and SiO2/CaO nanoparticles incorporated in the core and shell respectively. Biocompatible, non-toxic, high-strength polymers, namely PICT and PAN, were used to construct the shell and core, ensuring mechanical stability, biocompatibility, and desired physiochemical properties such as hydrophobicity. The scaffold's mechanical properties, including tensile strength and elongation, were carefully evaluated to ensure its ability to withstand stresses and provide support when implanted in bone. Three scaffolds with different percentages of bioceramic nanoparticles were fabricated and compared based on various factors such as structural properties, surface morphology, tensile strength, elongation, cell survival, and wetting behavior. Scaffold B emerged as the most feasible option, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, supporting high cell survival (85%), and possessing a desired water contact angle (127.2°) to maintain scaffold strength for guided bone regeneration. Scaffold B showed a tensile strength of 1.7 MPa and an elongation of 7%, making it suitable for guided bone regeneration. The study emphasized the importance of the scaffold's structure and properties, including fiber diameter distribution, porosity, hydrophobicity, cell survival, and interconnectivity, in its effectiveness for bone regeneration. The scaffold's structure influenced its strength, cell infiltration, and mineral and oxygen transportation. The electrospinning process was optimized to produce a scaffold with the desired structure. iv Furthermore, simulation was conducted to investigate the behavior of single fibers under stress. ABAQUS software was used for FEM analysis, and future work involves using simulation to validate experimental results and predict scaffold behavior with different compositions. This will further optimize scaffold properties for specific applications and impact tissue regeneration. The developed electrospun polymeric scaffold exhibits great potential for tissue engineering and bone regeneration. Further research and development can optimize its properties and evaluate its effectiveness in vivo. With continued progress, this scaffold holds promise for a wide range of applications, including wound healing and bone tissue engineering.