Development and Characterization of Electrospun Composites Built on Polycaprolactone and Cerium-Containing Phases

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer widely used in tissue engineering.
• Cerium (Ce)-containing compounds offer potential for enhanced bioactivity and antimicrobial properties in biomaterials.
• Developing composite scaffolds with tailored properties is crucial for effective bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize PCL-based composite scaffolds incorporating various cerium (Ce)-containing powders.
• To evaluate the compositional, structural, morphological, optical, and biological properties of the developed scaffolds.
• To assess the bioactivity, antibacterial effects, and biocompatibility of the composite scaffolds for potential orthopedic applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of CeO2, Ce-doped calcium phosphates, and Ce-substituted bioglass using wet-chemistry methods (precipitation/coprecipitation, sol-gel).
• Loading of synthesized powders onto PCL fibers via electrospinning to create composite scaffolds.
• Characterization of powders and scaffolds using techniques to assess phase composition, morphology, and structure.
• In vitro evaluation of bioactivity (immersion in simulated body fluid - SBF), antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility with human osteoblast cells.

Main Results:

• Ce-containing powders were successfully synthesized and incorporated into PCL fibers, forming nanometric or micrometric structures.
• Ce-doped calcium phosphates exhibited significant antibacterial effects, particularly when calcined at lower temperatures.
• Ce-containing bioglass showed the highest bioactivity.
• Composite scaffolds demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with human osteoblast cells, with a superior response observed for PCL combined with Ce-doped calcium phosphates.
• Scaffold morphology could be controlled by adjusting polymer concentration, leading to more ordered fiber mats.

Conclusions:

• Composite scaffolds based on PCL and cerium-containing powders show significant potential for bone tissue engineering applications.
• Ce-doped calcium phosphates offer a promising combination of antibacterial properties and biocompatibility for orthopedic implants.
• The developed fabrication method allows for tailoring scaffold properties for enhanced biological performance.