Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide/polymer-coated bioactive glass scaffolds for tissue engineering: Fabrication, structural, mechanical, bioactivity, and radiation interaction properties

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based nanostructures are widely used in environmental protection and biomedicine owing to their biological, physical, chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)- and polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA)-coated bioactive glass scaffolds containing MoS2 nanoparticles are prepared, and their usability in bone tissue engineering applications is evaluated. Borate bioactive glass scaffolds are fabricated using the replication method and coated with PCL or PLGA solutions (5 wt %) containing MoS2 (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) nanoparticles. The structural and mechanical properties of the scaffolds and their bioactivity in simulated body fluids are investigated comprehensively. The ionization-radiation-shielding properties are investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that the polymer coating layer and presence of MoS2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix improves the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The addition of MoS2 nanoparticles to the structure increases the hydroxyapatiteforming ability of bioactive glass-based composites. Additionally, the prepared composite scaffolds exhibit high radiation-shielding ability owing to the presence of MoS2 nanoparticles embedded in the polymer matrix that shields the glass surface. Bioactive glass composite scaffolds containing MoS2 nanoparticles demonstrate promising potential for bone regeneration and radiation-shielding applications.