Electroconductive polyurethane/graphene nanocomposite for biomedical applications

Developing smart biomaterials with tailor-made properties is a key factor to successful tissue regeneration. The aims of this study were 1) development and characterization of graphene (G) based electroconductive materials for biomedical applications, 2) comparison of fabrication methods of the materials to the 3D scaffold. G has superior mechanical and biochemical properties as well as conductive. Multilayer G flakes were homogeneously dispersed into the polyurethane (PU) at 0.1, 2, 5, and 10 wt% concentrations. The PU/G were fabricated as membranes using electrospinning and solvent casting. The membranes were characterized for their electrical, mechanical, physiochemical, and biological properties. The electroconductivity of the electrospun mats was significantly higher than related casting films and G acted as electrical bridges leading to the improved electroconductivity of the composites. The mechanical properties of the mats were higher than those of the films and improved by increasing G concentration up to 5 wt% and then reduced. The cellular studies using fibroblast and endothelial cells revealed the potentials of composites to support attachment, spreading and proliferation of cells. It seems likely much higher cell supporting behavior of mats is attributed due to surface topography. It is envisioned that the offered nanofibrous electroconductive PU/G composites might have a potential application in tissue engineering.