Biocomposite conductive scaffold based on PEDOT: PSS/ nHA/chitosan/PCL: Fabrication and characterization

Biomaterial-based scaffolds with suitable characteristics are highly desired in tissue engineering (TE) application. Biocomposites based on polymer and ceramics increase the chance for modulating the properties of scaffold. In recent years, researchers have considered conductive polymers to be used in TE application, due to their conductivity. This property has a good impact on tissue regeneration. A suitable design for bone substitute that consists of considerations such as material component, fabrication technique and mechanical properties. The previous studies on PEDOT:PSS/nHA/CS showed high wettability rate but low mechanical properties. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with a low wettability. The incorporation of PCL inside biocomposite can lead to the decrement in wettability and increment in mechanical property. In addition, this paper would examine the feasibility of blending of PCL and chitosan to fabricate PEDOT: PSS/nHA/CS composite scaffold. The fabrication technique of freezing/lyophilization was used in this study. The scaffolds were characterized morphologically using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Wettability was studied using a contact angle instrument. The attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra interpreted the presence of polymeric ingredients within composite scaffold. Conductivity of the scaffolds was measured using a Digital Multimeter. In-vitro biological evaluation of the scaffolds was studied using human skin Fibroblast (HSF) cell line. The morphological study of biocomposite PEDOT: PSS/nHA/CS/PCL scaffold revealed random pore sizes and 66% porosity. Contact angle of the scaffold was increased and the swelling property and pore sizes were decreased after blending of PCL polymer. The viability of HSF cells on biocomposite PEDOT: PSS/nHA/CS/PCL scaffold was 85%. After 7 days, SEM analysis revealed the presence of cells on the surface of scaffold. In conclusion, the results suggested that PEDOT: PSS/nHA/CS/PCL biocomposite scaffold was non-toxic to cells and has suitable properties.