Three-dimensional porous scaffolds based on agarose/chitosan/graphene oxide composite for tissue engineering

Three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds based on agarose/chitosan/graphene oxide (ACGO) composite were prepared by the freeze-drying technique. The prepared scaffolds were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM analysis. The effect of graphene oxide (GO) on the physicochemical and biological properties of the composite scaffolds was evaluated in terms of porosity, swelling, water retention, compressive strength, enzymatic degradation, cytotoxicity and cell attachment behaviors. The ACGO composite scaffolds exhibited the well-defined interconnected pores with rough surface morphology. The porosity, swelling, water retention ability and compressive strength of the composite scaffolds increased with the increase in GO content, while the degradation rate of the scaffolds decreased with the addition of GO. The composite scaffolds showed adequate hemocompatibility and Vero cell proliferation ability. Cell attachment studies demonstrated that GO present in the composite scaffolds provided a favorable environment for cell attachment and proliferation. These results suggest that ACGO composite scaffolds could be reliable and appropriate for tissue engineering applications.