Biomimetic TiO₂-chitosan/sodium alginate blended nanocomposite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

The study is aimed to synthesize potent metal oxide based biomimetic nanocomposites to overcome the risk associated with artificial bone tissue engineering. High purity TiO₂ nanoparticles are synthesized via hydrothermal route. A biomimetic nanocomposite scaffolds containing chitosan-sodium alginate (4: 4) blended with three different (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%) concentrations of hydrothermally synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles are obtained by solvent casting technique. The physico-chemical and thermal degradation properties of as-synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles and their nanocomposite scaffolds are analyzed. In-vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the prepared TiO₂ nanoparticles and nanocomposites are tested against human bladder tumor (UC6) and osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell lines. Antibacterial property is tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These studies reveal that TiO₂ nanoparticles and polymeric nanocomposites contain good physico-chemical and mechanical properties for enhanced in-vitro biocompatibility suitable for biomedical applications. Biomimetically prepared chitosan-sodium alginate scaffold containing TiO₂ nanoparticles (1 wt%) is found to exhibit superior biocompatibility for bone tissue engineering applications.