Production of PHB Scaffolds Reinforced with HAp Through Electrospinning

Abstract

Electrospinning, an economical technique, is widely used for biomedical scaffold fabrication, crucial in tissue and organ regeneration, particularly with biomaterials. Polymers, either pure or reinforced with ceramics, aid in cell proliferation and tissue formation. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a promising biopolymer for tissue engineering, offering biocompatibility comparable to petroleum-derived polymers. Combining PHB with hydroxyapatite (HAp) enhances mechanical strength and osteoconductivity. This study aims to produce electrospun PHB microfibrous webs reinforced with HAp for scaffold fabrication. Morphological variations are analyzed through manipulation of electrospinning parameters. The study observed microfibrous webs with diameters ranging from 2 to 9 µm. Mechanical and microstructural evaluations demonstrate superior strength of PHB/HAp microfibrous webs compared to pure PHB, 1.23 MPa and 0.58 MPa respectively, demonstrating the efficacy of HAp reinforcement. These findings highlight the potential of PHB/HAp microfibrous webs in bone tissue engineering.