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Multifunctional CeO2/PCL Nanofibrous Scaffold with Integrated pH Sensing and Enhanced Stem Cell Adhesion
Chunyu Chi1, Yuantao Gao2, Jiazhu Chen3
1School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian116034, China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|July 13, 2026
Summary
This study developed a multifunctional wound dressing using cerium oxide (CeO2) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers. The advanced scaffold offers real-time pH monitoring, promotes stem cell activity, and aids wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Delayed wound healing presents significant clinical challenges and economic burdens.
- Current wound dressings often lack active monitoring and therapeutic capabilities.
- Multifunctional materials are needed to manage wound environments and accelerate healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a CeO2/PCL nanofibrous scaffold with integrated pH sensing, stem cell support, and antioxidant properties.
- To optimize scaffold composition for mechanical strength and wound dressing suitability.
- To evaluate the scaffold's efficacy in promoting wound healing through various biological assays.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of CeO2/PCL composite nanofibrous scaffolds using a one-step electrospinning technique with varying CeO2 nanoparticle loadings (7.1-31.6 wt %).
- Incorporation of phenol red for visual pH monitoring via metal-phenolic coordination.
- Assessment of mechanical properties, including tensile strength and elongation at break.
- Evaluation of antibacterial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, and biocompatibility with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs).
- In vitro wound healing assays to assess stem cell migration.
Main Results:
- Optimized CeO2/PCL scaffold (13.3 wt % CeO2) demonstrated excellent mechanical properties (1.927 MPa tensile strength, 70% elongation at break).
- The scaffold enabled naked-eye pH monitoring in the range of 4.0-10.0.
- Composite scaffolds exhibited significant antibacterial effects, potent ROS scavenging, and high biocompatibility.
- Over 80% hUC-MSC viability was maintained over 72 hours, with significantly enhanced stem cell migration.
Conclusions:
- The developed CeO2/PCL nanofibrous scaffold is a promising multifunctional material for advanced wound management.
- This integrated platform combines visual diagnostics (pH sensing) with therapeutic functions (antioxidant, antibacterial, stem cell support).
- The scaffold effectively promotes key aspects of the wound healing process, offering a novel approach to clinical wound care.
