Mechanical characterization of high‐performance graphene oxide incorporated aligned fibroporous poly(carbonate urethane) membrane for potential biomedical applications

Abstract

In this article, we report the development of graphene oxide (GO) reinforced electrospun poly(carbonate urethane) (PCU) nanocomposite membranes intended for biomedical applications. In this study, we aimed to improve the mechanical properties of PCU fibroporous electrospun membranes through fiber alignment and GO incorporation. Membranes with 1, 1.5, and 3% loadings of GO were evaluated for their morphology, mechanical properties, crystallinity, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility. The mechanical properties were assessed under both static and dynamic conditions to explore the tensile characteristics and viscoelastic properties. The results show that GO presented a good dispersion and exfoliation in the PCU matrix, contributing to an increase in the mechanical performance. The static mechanical properties indicated a 55% increase in the tensile strength, a 127% increase in toughness for 1.5 wt % GO loading and the achievement of a maximum strength reinforcement efficiency value at the same loading. Crystallinity changes in membranes were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity tests with L-929 fibroblast cells and percentage hemolysis tests with fresh venous blood displayed the membranes to be cytocompatible with acceptable levels of hemolytic characteristics. Accordingly, these results highlight the potential of this mechanically improved composite membrane's application in the biomedical field.

Electrospun Graphene Oxide-Based Nanofibres

“…The experiment results indicated that, with increasing GO concentrations, both the surface friction force and adhesive force increased [29]. A mechanical characterization of high-performance GO incorporated into an aligned fibro-porous PCU membrane was made, under static and dynamic conditions [30]. The electrospun membrane indicated that 55% of the tensile strength increased, a 127% rise in toughness, and the achievement of maximum strength reinforcement efficiency was reported at 1.5 wt.% GO loading.…”

“…Graphene oxide Poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc) [56] Graphene oxide Polycaprolactone (PCL) [42,56] Functionalized graphene oxide Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) [26,41] Graphene oxide poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and collagen (Col) [40] Graphene oxide poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) [32,40] Graphene oxide PLA and polyurethane (PU) [38] Graphene oxide Polyurethane (PU) [38,53,55] Graphene oxide Polyethylene oxide (PEO)/chitosan (CS) [44] Graphene oxide Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [31,35,44,48] Reduced graphene oxide Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [24,27] Graphene oxide PVA and chitosan CS [33,47] Graphene oxide Nylon 6-6 [52] Reduced graphene oxide Nylon-6 [57] Graphene oxide Nylon-6 [34] Reduced graphene oxide Poly(carbonate urethane) (PCU) [30] Reduced graphene oxide polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) [25] Reduced graphene oxide polyacrylonitrile (PAN) [25,29,36] Functionalized graphene oxide polyacrylonitrile (PAN) [28] Graphene oxide Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) [28,50] Reduced graphene oxide Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) [46] Graphene oxide Polyacrylic acid (PAA) [54] Table 2. Reported literatures on electrospun GO.…”

Sulfobetaine‐functionalized electrospun poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) membranes for blood filtration

“…In this study, the hemolytic evaluation was performed to understand the effect of SMDB functionalization on the degree of RBC damage. The percentage hemolysis was determined with blood exposed to the neat and SMDB‐functionalized EVAL, mentioned in the previous section, according to reported protocol …”

Graphene Oxide/Polymer‐Based Biomaterials

“…The favorable properties of these polymers include good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of handling. [116][117][118] Some other very rarely studied synthetic polymers for potential biomedical sciences are poly(carbonate urethane), [119] poly(acrylic acid), [92] poly(l-lysine), [120] and elastomers. [121][122][123] 2.2.1.…”