Reinforced Poly(ε-caprolactone) Bimodal Foams via Phospho-Calcified Cellulose Nanowhisker for Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

In this work, phospho-calcified cellulose nanowhiskers (PCCNWs) were prepared from wastepaper powder (WPP) and were dispersed in poly­(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The biocompatible and biodegradable (PCL)/PCCNW bimodal foam nanocomposites with two species cell sizes were prepared by the solvent casting/particulate leaching method in different weight percentage of PCCNWs. The mechanical, thermal, and in vitro biological properties of PCL/PCCNW nanocomposites were investigated. All PCL/PCCNW scaffolds were hydrophilic, biodegradable, and also noncytotoxic. The human mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on the prepared PCL/PCCNW bimodal foam nanocomposites and differentiated to osteoblasts. On the basis of evaluating tests such as MTT assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, alkaline phosphatase assay, calcium content assay, and alizarin red staining, PCL/PCCNW scaffolds were introduced as an appropriate option for emulating the behavior of extracellular matrix. Increasing PCCNWs improves the mechanical, hydrophilic, and biodegradability properties of the nanocomposites as well as their osteoconductivity.

Effect of compatibilizer concentration on dynamic rheological behavior and morphology of thermoplastic starch/polypropylene blends

“…The development of multicomponent compatibilized polymer blends is of high commercial interest as they generate tailor‐made materials that synergistically combine desired properties . The biodegradable blends and bio‐based polymer products and nanomaterials based on the renewable agricultural resources such as starch can form a basis for a portfolio of sustainable products that can allow many environmental issues to be resolved, and since they are extracted from nature, they can save up on the production costs . Starch is a natural, cheap carbohydrate storage material accumulated in plants in the form of granules that swell when absorbing water through hydrogen bonding due to its free hydroxyl groups.…”

“…1 The biodegradable blends and bio-based polymer products and nanomaterials based on the renewable agricultural resources such as starch can form a basis for a portfolio of sustainable products that can allow many environmental issues to be resolved, and since they are extracted from nature, they can save up on the production costs. 2,3 Starch is a natural, cheap carbohydrate storage material accumulated in plants in the form of granules that swell when absorbing water through hydrogen bonding due to its free hydroxyl groups. Application of high shear deformation and some plasticizers such as glycerol and water combined with heat would result in the gelatinization of starch as further improves the starch ductility.…”

Preparation and characterization of reinforced poly (ε‐caprolactone) nanocomposites by cellulose nanowhiskers

“…Nanoparticles have paved the way for improving thermal, electrical, and barrier properties of polymeric composites due to their large surface area and their appropriate dispersion and distribution in the matrix to form a three dimensional network . The development in nanotechnology has created noteworthy of using cellulose nanocrystals as reinforcing agents in nanocomposites, particularly in bio‐nanocomposite applications, because of their abundance, low price, renewability, physicochemical, antibacterial, and good mechanical properties …”

Enhanced osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells on electrospun cellulose nanocrystals/poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers on graphene oxide substrates

“…CNCs can be used as an implant material for tissue engineering applications. 48,49 These results indicate that CNCs-based materials can promote cell proliferation, spreading, and differentiation. Therefore, the developed scaffolds have the potential to use as a biomaterial for tissue engineering, especially bone tissues.…”