Effect of graphene oxide/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite on osteogenic differentiation and antimicrobial activity

Abstract

This paper presents the fabrication and characterization of electrospun graphene oxide/calcium hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone composite. Polycaprolactone is well-known for its excellent medical property and chemo-resistance. On the other hand graphene oxide (GO) and calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) are both known for their superior biocompatibility, high mechanical properties, considerable electrical and thermal conductivity. Under current research GO and HAp were synthesized from an abundant bio-wastes material. As-prepared GO/HAp composite was dispersed in biodegradable polymer – polycaprolactone (PCL) in order to device a composite scaffold with the purpose to enhance osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts for potential medical application. Synthesised composite was characterised using various chemo-physical methods. Biocompatibility was tested in the cell proliferation assay with preosteoblasts MC3T3-E1 cell line in order to identify any cytotoxic effect caused by its compounds. The bacteriostatic effect of GO was assessed using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacterial strains. Obtained GO/HAp/PCL composite scaffold can serve as a biologically compatible matrix for potential bone tissue regeneration with antimicrobial effect; provides an excellent biological compatibility for prospective application in medicine and clinical dentistry.