Graphene oxide and amin-modified graphene oxide incorporated chitosan-gelatin scaffolds as promising materials for tissue engineering

In this work, the effect of graphene-based materials on the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of chitosan-gelatin scaffolds was investigated. Graphene oxide (GO) and amine-modified graphene oxide (GNH(2)) were synthesized and covalently linked to the polymeric chains of chitosan and gelatin, using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent. The accuracy of synthesis of graphene-based materials was verified using FT-IR, XRD, Raman, and Zeta potential techniques. The negatively and positively charged surfaces of respectively GO and GNH(2) nanosheets were of great importance affecting the physicochemical properties of scaffolds; higher pore size, interconnectivity, better water absorption and retention capability, shape retention, porosity, and density compared to those of chitosan-gelatin scaffold as a control sample. All scaffolds showed biomineralization ability in vitro. Also, less biodegradation was observed for modified scaffolds. Improved mechanical properties of GO and GNH(2) incorporated scaffolds were observed. Cell viability of modified scaffolds was improved by 10 and 4% respectively for GO and GNH(2), compared to chitosan-gelatin scaffold.