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Influence of Fish Scale-Based Hydroxyapatite on Forcespun Polycaprolactone Fiber Scaffolds
Deepa Kodali1, Vincent Hembrick-Holloman1, Dilip Reddy Gunturu2
1Department of Materials Science Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088, United States.
ACS Omega
|March 21, 2022
Summary
This study developed sustainable polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous scaffolds using fish scale-derived hydroxyapatite (HAp). The enhanced scaffolds show improved thermal, mechanical, and cell growth properties for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Marine waste, particularly fish scales, is a sustainable source for biomaterials like hydroxyapatite (HAp).
- Hydroxyapatite (HAp) shows promise for biomedical applications due to its ability to promote cell growth.
- Incorporating HAp into polymer matrices for biomedical use requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an inexpensive method for creating polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous scaffolds.
- To analyze the effects of calcium-deficient nanoporous hydroxyapatite (n-HAp) derived from fish scales on PCL scaffold properties.
- To evaluate the thermal, mechanical, and biological performance of these n-HAp/PCL composite scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized n-HAp from carpa (CA) and pink perch (PP) fish scales via calcination and nanomilling.
- Fabricated PCL nanofibrous scaffolds incorporating n-HAp using a forcespinning technique.
- Characterized n-HAp powder and PCL scaffolds using XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, and tensile testing.
Main Results:
- Nanomilling successfully reduced HAp particle size.
- Incorporation of 1 wt% n-HAp increased degradation temperature to 398°C and crystallinity by 7%.
- Tensile strength improved by 32% with 1 wt% n-HAp, and significant cell growth was observed with 5 wt% n-HAp.
Conclusions:
- Fish scale-derived n-HAp can be effectively incorporated into PCL nanofibrous scaffolds.
- These composite scaffolds exhibit enhanced thermal, mechanical, and biological properties.
- The developed scaffolds show potential for biomedical applications, warranting further investigation.
