Nanofibrous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/collagen/graphene oxide scaffolds for wound coverage

The purpose of wound management is to prevent wound from infection, increase the fibroblast cell growth, and preserve cellular function. The polymeric electrospun nanofiber scaffold made up of natural and/or synthetic polymer provides an extracellular matrix for support and initiates the growth, proliferation and differentiation of fibroblast cells. The present study deals with the development of poly3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid (PHBV) nanofibrous scaffold imbedded with graphene oxide (GO), and collagen. Nanofibrous PHBV offers advantages like structural resemblance to native extracellular matrix, high porosity and surface area to volume ratio. The nanofibrous mats were morphologically and chemically characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. FESEM images showed the nanofiber diameter was decreased and porosity increased by adding GO and collagen into the matrix without any chemical interaction among them. Incorporation of GO into the matrix increases mechanical strength of scaffold in addition to antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus with decrease in pore size and hydrophilicity. In contrast, collagen addition into the nanofibers enhanced hydrophilicity without affecting mechanical strength and porosity significantly. Moreover, collagen enhanced cell proliferation capacity of nanofibers in comparison to the samples of PHBV+GO and virgin PHBV. The combination of collagen and GO with PHBV has balanced properties which can be utilised for the application.