Graphene nanosheets as reinforcement and cell-instructive material in soft tissue scaffolds

Mechanical strength of polymeric scaffolds deteriorates quickly in the physiological mileu. This can be minimized by reinforcing the polymeric matrix with graphene, a planar two-dimensional material with unique physicochemical and biological properties. Association between the sheet and polymer chains offers a range of porosity commensurate with tissue requirements. Besides, studies suggest that corrugated structure of graphene offers desirable bio-mechanical cues for tissue regeneration. This review covers three important aspects of graphene-polymer composites, (a) the opportunity on reinforcing the polymer matrix with graphene, (b) challenges associated with limited aqueous processability of graphene, and (c) physiological signaling in the presence of graphene. Among numerous graphene materials, our discussion is limited to graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets. Challenges associated with limited dispersity of hydrophobic sheets within the polymeric matrix have been discussed at molecular level.