Conductive Bio-Copolymers based on Pectin-Polycaprolactone/Polyaniline and Tissue Engineering Application Thereof

Abstract

Development of biopolymers possessing both biodegradable and electrically conducting properties has attracted a huge interest in the biomedical field. These systems have some benefitials in wound healing and reducing the long-term health risks. In this study, the pectin-polycaprolactone (Pec-PCL) copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. Subsequently, the solutions of the synthesized Pec-PCL and homopolyaniline (H-PANI) were blended in various ratios and their conductivity properties were measured by cyclic voltammetry and the composition of 80:20 was selected for electrospinning process because of the suitable electroactive behavior and biodegradability. The morphology, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of the nanofibers were thoroughly investigated. Resulted scaffolds represented a porous structure with large surface area (110–130 nm) and Young’s modulus of 1615 ± 32 MPa, which imitated the natural microenvironment of extra cellular matrix (ECM) to regulate the cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. The results demonstrated that these electrospun nanofibers could be potentially applied in biomedical such as tissue engineering.