Enhancing mechanical and antibacterial properties of polycaprolactone nanocomposite nanofibers using decorated clay with ZnO nanorods

Abstract

It is urgently necessitate to develop a construct with desirable mechanical properties and antibacterial activity for biomedical applications. Zinc oxide (ZnO) has emerged as a promising antibacterial inorganic agent for the improvement of biopolymer scaffold properties. However, its agglomeration/aggregation has an adverse effect on its performance. In the present work, clay platelets have served as a substrate for decoration of high density, well‐distributed ZnO nanorods via in‐situ synthesis. Then, polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers containing 1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% ZnO nanorods decorated on clay platelets (Clay@ ZnO) are fabricated using the electrospinning technique. The tensile strength and modulus of the PCL scaffold are significantly enhanced by increasing Clay@ ZnO content, thanks to the presence of well‐distributed ZnO rods on exfoliated clay platelets. However, the maximum elongation at break is observed for PCL/1% (Clay@ ZnO). Disc diffusion method reveals that good coverage of clay platelets with ZnO nanorods boosts the antibacterial performance of ZnO against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria strains. Moreover, incorporation of Clay@ ZnO powders into the PCL scaffold considerably enhances its antibacterial activity. Cell culturing assay demonstrates the favorable cytocompatibility of prepared nanocomposite nanofibers by promoting cell attachment and proliferation. Such engineered nanocomposite has a high potential to utilize in biomedical applications.

Preclinical evaluation of the polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol electrospun nanofibers containing egg-yolk oil for acceleration of full thickness burns healing

“…Moreover, the higher antimicrobial activity of the oil-containing scaffold against gram-positive bacteria than that of gram-negative bacteria could be related to the difference of their cell wall structure. The permeable layer of gram-positive www.nature.com/scientificreports/ bacteria cell wall makes it more vulnerable against antiseptics than gram-negative bacteria with impermeable cell wall 40 .…”

Enhanced Antibacterial Ability of Electrospun PCL Scaffolds Incorporating ZnO Nanowires

“…In addition, ZnO nanostructures have been shown to be biodegradable and biocompatible [9,10] and can promote the adhesion, growth and differentiation of several cell lines owing to the presence of OH groups on the surface [11,12], making them an extremely popular material in biomedical applications. ZnO nanostructures such as nanoparticles and nanorods also have been incorporated into many polymers and bioactive ceramics, such as PCL and PLGA, to improve mechanical and antimicrobial properties [13][14][15][16]. ZnO NW modified textile and its application in biosensing, photocatalysis and antibacterial was also investigated [17].…”