Synthesis and evaluation of poly(propylene fumarate)-grafted graphene oxide as nanofiller for porous scaffolds

J Mater Chem B. 2023 Aug 30;11(34):8241-8250. doi: 10.1039/d3tb01232h.

Abstract

In an effort to obtain porous scaffolds with improved mechanical properties and biocompatibility, the current study discusses nanocomposite materials based on poly(propylene fumarate)/N-vinyl pyrrolidone(PPF/NVP) networks reinforced with polymer-modified graphene oxide (GO@PPF). The GO@PPF nanofiller was synthesized through a facile and convenient surface esterification reaction, and the successful functionalization was demonstrated by complementary techniques such as FT-IR, XPS, TGA and TEM. The PPF/NVP/GO@PPF porous scaffolds obtained using NaCl as a porogen were further characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical properties, sol fraction, and in vitro degradability. SEM and nanoCT examinations of NaCl-leached samples revealed networks of interconnected pores, fairly uniform in size and shape. We show that the incorporation of GO@PPF in the polymer matrix leads to a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties, which we attribute to the formation of denser and more homogenous networks, as suggested by a decreased sol fraction for the scaffolds containing a higher amount of GO@PPF. Moreover, the surface of mineralized PPF/NVP/GO@PPG scaffolds is uniformly covered in hydroxyapatite-like crystals having a morphology and Ca/P ratio similar to bone tissue. Furthermore, the preliminary biocompatibility assessment revealed a good interaction between PPF/PVP/GO@PPF scaffolds and murine pre-osteoblasts in terms of cell viability and proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Mice
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Porosity
  • Sodium Chloride*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • poly(propylene fumarate)
  • graphene oxide
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Polymers