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Optimizing Biodegradable Poly(D,L-lactide) Scaffolds Reinforced with Graphene Oxide for Bone Tissue Regeneration.
Esperanza Díaz1,2, Ander García1, Xabier León1
1Departamento de Ingeniería Minera, Metalúrgica y Ciencia de Materiales, Escuela de Ingeniería de Bilbao, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), 48920 Portugalete, Spain.
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 28, 2025
Summary
This study shows graphene oxide (GO) enhances poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. GO improves mechanical strength and thermal stability while remaining biocompatible.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Bone tissue engineering requires advanced scaffolds with improved mechanical and degradation properties.
- Poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) is a common biomaterial, but its mechanical properties can be limiting.
- Graphene oxide (GO) offers potential for reinforcing polymer scaffolds due to its unique properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of graphene oxide (GO) incorporation on poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
- To evaluate the influence of GO on the morphology, biodegradation, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and cytocompatibility of PDLLA scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of porous PDLLA scaffolds using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS).
- Reinforcement of PDLLA scaffolds with varying concentrations of graphene oxide (GO).
- Comprehensive characterization including morphology, in vitro degradation, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and cytotoxicity assays.
Main Results:
- Graphene oxide (GO) incorporation significantly enhanced the mechanical strength and thermal stability of PDLLA scaffolds.
- GO functional groups interacted with PDLLA chains, likely through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions.
- In vitro degradation studies indicated that GO accelerated degradation, but higher GO content maintained superior mechanical strength.
- Cytotoxicity assays confirmed the biocompatibility of all GO-modified PDLLA scaffold variants.
Conclusions:
- Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising reinforcement agent for poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) scaffolds in bone tissue engineering.
- GO incorporation effectively modulates scaffold properties, including mechanical strength, thermal stability, and degradation rate.
- These enhanced PDLLA/GO scaffolds demonstrate suitability for biomedical applications and offer insights for designing improved bone regeneration systems.
