Physicochemical Analysis of PCL-MWCNTs Nano-Bio-Composites as a Maxillofacial Implant Material for Bone Tissue Regeneration
摘要
Maxillary fractures are considered to be the most significant bone issues in the dental field. The biomedical field has witnessed the introduction of rapid manufacturing (RM) technologies that has led to the utilization of patient-specific implants (PSIs) in the clinical restoration of maxillofacial flaws. Even though RM offers promising competences for tissue engineering (TE) applications, but with respect to the material related choices, only few compatible materials are readily available due to the very unique mechanical, physical, and chemical characteristics needed for the implant. Most of the polymeric materials can increase and assist in the bone formation from stromal cells, at the same time they are not good in supporting for the essential mechanical loads and mechanical stresses, much needed for PSIs. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a semi crystalline polymer that is quite tough and exhibits ample biocompatibility and are offering certain advantages in providing tailored properties. In this work, the emphasis is on the development of a nano-biocomposite alternative choice to augment the effects of TE aiming for the restoration of bone tissue. This work utilizes the materials, polycaprolactone (PCL) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the scaffolding by incorporating the solution casting methodology as the preparation route for the fabrication of PCL/MWCNT composite with MWCNT weight percentage (wt%) of 1. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed on pure PCL as well as the composite samples so as to determine the overall structure, the levels of crystallinity it exhibits and to obtain the general morphology. Pure PCL and PCL/MWCNT samples were utilized to conduct the FTIR test. The FTIR test results of the PCL/MWCNT composite would also show a decrease in the intensity of some of the absorption bands that correspond to the functional groups in the PCL. Also, the scaffolds were observed under a scanning electron microscope and it demonstrated the effective mixing, dispersion, and interfacial bonding between PCL and MWCNTs in the composite material. These conclusions identified the prospective utilization of PCL/MWCNT composites as a viable option for various applications including maxillofacial implants that require enhanced mechanical properties and tailored functionalities.