Assessment of biocompatibility and surface topography of poly(ester urethane)–silica nanocomposites reveals multifunctional properties

Abstract

A poly(ester-urethane) nanocomposite based on 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate-trimer, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and silica nanoparticles was prepared. The porosity model involved the sodium-acetate in situ particulate leaching technique. Also, the diversity of applications (multifunctionality) of these composite scaffolds is currently unknown. Herein, the scaffold surface topography, cell adhesion, viability, and the use of Azospirillum brasilense to produce biofilms were investigated. The results indicated that human mesenchymal stromal cells showed a higher preference for adhering to scaffolds with salt-leached induced porosity. However, the surface morphology of untreated and modified polyurethanes did not significantly affect either cell viability or the ability of the bacteria to produce biofilms. Furthermore, the bacteria remained viable and metabolically active up to a month without the presence of any carbon or nitrogen source. Our findings suggest that the prepared nanocomposites can be proposed both as a candidate for tissue engineering and as agricultural mulch films for restoring contaminated soils, which emphasizes the multifunctional nature of these materials.