Advances in Nanoparticle and Carbon Nanotube-Enhanced Electrospun Fibers for Tissue Engineering Applications

Electrospinning is a scaffold fabrication technique in tissue engineering that is both versatile and promising, with the objective of repairing or enhancing damaged tissues and organs. The addition of a diverse array of additives into the polymeric matrix has resulted in the exceptional mechanical, biological and functional properties of the electrospun scaffolds in synthetic tissues, which have attracted considerable attention. This review carefully examines the role of carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles in the electrospun scaffold manufacturing process. The final properties of scaffolds, including porosity, mechanical strength and cell interaction, were also examined in relation to the differences in the diameter of electrospun fibers. The diameter of the fibers is a critical factor in the performance of the scaffold. A decrease in fiber size frequently results in an increase in bioactivity and flexibility as a result of the larger surface area. On the contrary, fiber size increases mechanical strength. Therefore, our objective is to emphasize the significance of these additives and the critical role of fiber diameter in the optimization of scaffold properties, thereby highlighting their potential to interact effectively with cells. The review concludes by highlighting future research possibilities, with a focus on the ability of additive-enhanced tissue engineering to expand its medicinal uses. Additionally, this review demonstrates that the addition of carbon nanotubes greatly improves the strength and biological activity of electrospun scaffolds, while hydroxyapatite nanoparticles stimulate bone growth, expanding the possible uses of tissue engineering. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent achievements while also providing the groundwork for future research on the optimization of tissue engineering procedures through the use of innovative additives and precise control over scaffold architecture.