The Study on the Morphology and Compression Properties of Microcellular TPU/Nanoclay Tissue Scaffolds for Potential Tissue Engineering Applications

Tie Geng; Han-Chi Xiao; Xin-Chao Wang; Chun-Tai Liu; Lan Wu; Yong-Gang Guo; Bin-Bin Dong; Lih-Sheng Turng

doi:10.3390/polym15173647

The Study on the Morphology and Compression Properties of Microcellular TPU/Nanoclay Tissue Scaffolds for Potential Tissue Engineering Applications

Polymers (Basel). 2023 Sep 4;15(17):3647. doi: 10.3390/polym15173647.

Authors

Tie Geng¹, Han-Chi Xiao¹, Xin-Chao Wang¹, Chun-Tai Liu², Lan Wu¹, Yong-Gang Guo¹, Bin-Bin Dong², Lih-Sheng Turng^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Henan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Automotive Composite Materials, School of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
² National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technologies, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
³ Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials have shown promise in tissue engineering applications due to their mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, the addition of nanoclays to TPU can further enhance its properties. In this study, the effects of nanoclays on the microstructure, mechanical behavior, cytocompatibility, and proliferation of TPU/nanoclay (TPUNC) composite scaffolds were comprehensively investigated. The dispersion morphology of nanoclays within the TPU matrix was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the nanoclays exhibited a well-dispersed and intercalated structure, which contributed to the improved mechanical properties of the TPUNC scaffolds. Mechanical testing revealed that the addition of nanoclays significantly enhanced the compressive strength and elastic resilience of the TPUNC scaffolds. Cell viability and proliferation assays were conducted using MG63 cells cultured on the TPUNC scaffolds. The incorporation of nanoclays did not adversely affect cell viability, as evidenced by the comparable cell numbers between nanoclay-filled and unfilled TPU scaffolds. The presence of nanoclays within the TPUNC scaffolds did not disrupt cell adhesion or proliferation. The incorporation of nanoclays improved the dispersion morphology, enhanced mechanical performance, and maintained excellent biocompatibility. These findings suggest that TPUNC composites have great potential for tissue engineering applications, providing a versatile and promising scaffold material for regenerative medicine.

Keywords: compression properties; cytocompatibility; nanoclays; thermoplastic polyurethane; tissue engineering.

Grants and funding

The authors at the Henan University of Technology and Zhengzhou University would like to acknowledge the support of the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province (Grant No. 222300420428); Key Laboratory of Materials processing and Mold (Zhengzhou University) (Grant No. NERC202202); National Natural Science Foundation of China (61973103, and 51775169); Training Program of Young Key Teachers in Henan University of Technology (2018); Innovative Funds Plan of Henan University of Technology (2020ZKCJ26); Science and Technology Project of Henan Province (222102220018); Excellent Program for Overseas Students in 2022; Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication (LSL-2006); and Excellent Youth Project of Henan Province (222300420039), and Science and Technology Project of Henan Province (212102210345).