Extrusion Printed Graphene/Polycaprolactone/Composites for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

In this work fibres and complex three-dimensional scaffolds of a covalently linked graphene-polycaprolactone composite were successfully extruded and printed using a melt extrusion printing system. Fibres with varying diameters and morphologies, as well as complex scaffolds were fabricated using an additive fabrication approach and were characterized. It was found that the addition of graphene improves the mechanical properties of the fibres by over 50% and in vitro cytotoxicity tests showed good biocompatibility indicating a promising material for tissue engineering applications.

Chemically converted graphene: scalable chemistries to enable processing and fabrication

“…The covalently linked composites exhibit far better homogeneity and as a result, both Young's modulus and tensile strength more than double with significant improvement in conductivity. 92 In vitro cytotoxicity testing of the materials showed good biocompatibility resulting in promising materials for use as conducting substrates for the electrically stimulated growth of cells.…”

“…In the case of graphene dispersions, the rheology of the ink needs to be controlled by concentration, 4 whereas, for the composite, the polymer aids the processing. 92 CCG has been used in printed patterns for the fabrication of flexible electronics, 106 and in a composite with polycaprolactone as a melt extruded scaffold for tissue engineering. 92 In this latter paper, graphene/PCl composite fibers (Figures 8a and b) were extrusion printed onto a glass substrate to form circular 3D scaffolds (Figure 8c).…”

“…92 CCG has been used in printed patterns for the fabrication of flexible electronics, 106 and in a composite with polycaprolactone as a melt extruded scaffold for tissue engineering. 92 In this latter paper, graphene/PCl composite fibers (Figures 8a and b) were extrusion printed onto a glass substrate to form circular 3D scaffolds (Figure 8c). Figure 8d shows a similarly sized scaffold with alternating matched concentric circles of graphene/PCl composite fibers and pristine PCl fibers that can be used to examine the effects of cell growth in regions under electrical stimulation for tissue engineering.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Covalently Linked Graphene/Chitosan Composites

“…It has previously been shown that the materials developed using this CCG are biocompatible and appropriate for cell culture. 20,21,23,27 …”

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Graphene, a planar monolayer of carbon material arranged in a honeycomb lattice with excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, has been shown to be an excellent material with which to modify biopolymers for tissue engineering without affecting their biocompatibility or processability. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The advantage of graphene over the other carbonaceous fillers, e.g. carbon nanotubes, is its facile and inexpensive synthesis and its potential for scaled-up manufacturing in solution form.…”