• Mohanadas, Hemanth Ponnambalath
• Faudzi, Ahmad Athif Mohd
• Tucker, Nick
• Mani, Mohan Prasath
• Jaganathan, Sk
• Ismail, Ahmad Fauzi
• Verma, Suresh K.
• Mohamaddan, Shahrol

Abstract

<jats:p> The present research paper explores the potential of electrospun nanofibers in the promising field of skin tissue engineering. Specifically, we propose an advanced preparation and characterization of an electrospun Polyurethane/Calcium Chloride (PU/CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) nanocomposite scaffold, devised to boost the scaffold’s physicochemical and biological properties for skin tissue regeneration. By incorporating CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> into the PU matrix using an electrospinning process, we were able to fabricate a novel nanocomposite scaffold. The morphological examination through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed that the fiber diameter of the PU/CaCl2 (563 ± 147 nm) scaffold was notably smaller compared to the control (784 ± 149 nm). The presence of CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> in the PU matrix was corroborated by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Furthermore, the PU/CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> scaffold exhibited superior tensile strength (10.81 MPa) over pristine PU (Tensile −6.16 MPa, Contact angle - 109° ± 1° and Roughness - 854 ± 32 nm) and revealed enhanced wettability (72° ± 2°) and reduced surface roughness (274 ± 104 nm), as verified by Contact angle and Atomic Force Microscopy. The developed scaffold demonstrated improved anticoagulant properties, indicating its potential for successful integration within a biological environment. The improved properties of the PU/CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> nanocomposite scaffold present a significant advancement in electrospun polymer nanofibers, offering a potential breakthrough in skin tissue engineering. However, additional studies are required to thoroughly evaluate the scaffold’s effectiveness in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. We aim to catalyze significant advancements in the field by revealing the creation of a potent skin scaffold leveraging electrospun nanofibers. Encouraging deeper exploration into this innovative electrospun composite scaffold for skin tissue engineering, the PU/CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> scaffold stands as a promising foundation for pioneering more innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions in biomedical applications. </jats:p>

Topics

• nanocomposite
• surface
• polymer
• atomic force microscopy
• strength
• thermogravimetry
• tensile strength
• Calcium
• electrospinning
• infrared spectroscopy