Sr-Mg co-doped Hardystonite/Polycaprolactone electrospun scaffolds: Fabrication and characterization for enhanced bone regeneration

The production of scaffolds is a primary objective in tissue engineering for treating bone defects and diseases. The electrospinning process offers a promising technique to create structures resembling the extracellular matrix. Artificial polymeric grafts, such as poly(caprolactone) (PCL), often face issues of low strength and degradation. To overcome these limitations, we introduce ceramic reinforcing particles, specifically hardystonite (Ca2Zn- Si2O7), known for its benefits in tissue regeneration. Considering the undeniable role of strontium and magnesium in bone regeneration, the aim of this study was to investigate and compare produced scaffolds with and without dopant elements, incorporated into hardystonite. Initially, strontium-magnesium-doped hardystonite (DHT) nanopowder was synthesized through mechanical milling followed by thermal treatment. The successful formation of a single-phase hardystonite structure was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), with estimated crystallite and particle sizes of approximately 41.6 nm and 77.23 +/- 36.60 nm, respectively. Subsequently, PCL/ DHT composite scaffolds were fabricated with 3 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt% bioceramic content. These scaffolds were assessed for fiber morphology, physical and chemical properties, hydrophilicity, surface roughness, mechanical characteristics, degradation, and biocompatibility. The results indicate that PCL/5 wt% DHT scaffolds exhibit superior biological, physical, and mechanical properties. Across all these tests, the PCL/5 wt% DHT scaffold consistently outperformed the others, suggesting its promising potential in bone tissue engineering.