Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of Electrospun Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Gelatin Scaffolds Loaded with Cellulose Fiber

The cellulose fiber (CF)-loaded PCL/gelatin (P/g) scaffolds were electrospun to investigate the effect of CF content on the strength, moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), water uptake capacity (WUC), and cytotoxicity of the P/g/CF scaffolds. The fiber diameter gradually increased from 462 to 869 nm with increasing the CF content from 0 to 4 wt% due to the increase in viscosity from 811 to 1121 cP. The strength increased from 2.2 +/- 0.3 to 4.8 +/- 0.8 MPa as the CF content increased from 0 to 2 wt%, and decreased with additional CF doping. FTIR results revealed that PCL crystallinity decreased with increasing CF content due to H bonds between cellulose and gelatin. The highest MVTR (CF=1 wt%) and WUC (CF=2 wt%) values are observed. Excellent cell viability and proliferation were observed in P/g/CF scaffolds regardless of CF content. It can be concluded that P/g scaffolds loaded with 2% CF are highly suitable as wound dressings.