Diamond nanoparticles into poly(lactic acid) electrospun fibers: Cytocompatible and bioactive scaffolds with enhanced wettability and cell adhesion

Here, we report the electrospinning and further biological evaluation of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds containing low loads of diamond nanoparticles (ND, 0.1–1 wt%). ND particles have been long recognized for their low cost, chemical stability, biocompatibility and ability to work as a cellular growth support. In this context, we aimed to produce electrospun PLA/ND scaffolds to assess their final wettability, bioactivity and cytotoxicity effects. The successful electrospinning of PLA/ND scaffolds was confirmed via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Contact angle measurements showed that all scaffolds ND-loaded presented lower advanced contact angles than neat PLA, pointing their decreased hydrophobicity. The biological assays showed that our PLA/ND scaffolds were not cytotoxic using L929 cells, presented bioactive properties and favoured cell adhesion, especially at low ND loads. These findings indicate the surface improvement and the potential range of applicability of electrospun polyesters ND-loaded for tissue engineering purposes. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.