Evaluation of electrospun polyurethane scaffolds loaded with cerium oxide for bone tissue engineering

Electrospun polyurethane (PU) scaffolds were developed containing cerium oxide (CeO2). Photomicrograph of the composites revealed the diameter of the PU/CeO2 (264 +/- 169 nm) was smaller than the polyurethane scaffold (994 +/- 113 nm). The fabricated PU/CeO2 (110 degrees +/- 1) scaffold displayed a more hydrophobic nature as depicted by increasing contact angle compared to the pristine PU (105 degrees +/- 3). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results presented evidence for the cerium oxide presence in the PU matrix through the formation of the hydrogen bond. The surface roughness of PU/CeO2 (301 +/- 52 nm) was reduced in comparison with pristine PU (854 +/- 32 nm) as estimated in the atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. Cerium oxide enhanced the thermal and tensile behaviour of the pristine PU. Coagulation assays indicated delayed clotting time and a less toxic nature to red blood cells of PU/CeO2 than pristine PU. Further, the calcium deposition in the nanocomposites (10.5%) was higher compared to pure PU (2.4%) as showed in bone mineralization testing. Hence with these potent properties, PU/CeO2 holds as a promising candidate for bone regeneration.