Fabricated via Electrospinning for Tissue Engineering

ABSTRACT: Composition-graded films (CGF) of fluoroapatite (FAP) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) were prepared via elec-trospinning solutions of FAP and PHB using a gradient composition of CGF. Thermal properties, mechanical properties and surface morphology of the films were investigated. Designed thermal and mechanical properties obtained by precise control of the composition gradient of the FAP/PHB CGF. The introduction of FAP in pure PHB film significantly changed the mechan-ical properties, such as tensile strength and extension rate of the pure PHB. Mouse fibroblast cells (L-929) were cultured on FAP/PHB uniform-films; the MTT test and cell morphology analysis indicate good biocompatibility of the modified CGF. This new method of processing makes CGF a potential candi-date as an electrospinning scaffold material for tissue engineering. KEY WORDS: electrospinning, fluoroapatite, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) tissue engineering, gradient, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity