Fabrication of calcium hydroxyapatite incorporated polyurethane-graphene oxide nanocomposite porous scaffolds from poly (ethylene terephthalate) waste: A green route toward bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Biodegradable porous polymeric scaffolds were prepared from Polyurethane (PU) for the purpose of osteoblast cells regeneration to utilize in the restoration of damage bone tissues. The PU was synthesized from post-consumer discarded Poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) waste by glycolysis method. The produced monomer bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) was reacted with diisocynate and there after with selected chain extender glycol. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was used as a polyol in the esterification reaction. Also, the GO acted as a nano filler that imparted the strength to the system along with antimicrobial activity. The various composites of PU-GO/hydroxyapatite (Hap) were prepared by varying the content of GO/Hap from 0 to 10% of total weight of the composite. The porous scaffolds were developed from composites by solvent casting/particulate leaching (SCPL) method. Furthermore, the physical, morphological, elemental, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of scaffolds were analyzed. The prepared scaffolds were subjected to U2OS human embryonic osteoblast cell line to analyze the response of osteoblast cells. In vitro studies such as cell growth, degradation, and cyto-compatibility were carried out. The outcomes of this study have asserted that the developed scaffolds are compatible for U2OS cells growth, thus can be used for bone tissue regeneration.