Shape memory effect in hybrid polylactide-based polymer scaffolds functionalized with reduced graphene oxide for tissue engineering

Abstract

Herein, an extensive characterization of the electrospun PLA-PCL scaffolds was performed to reveal the effect of the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) content (0.7, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%) on the morphology, structure, thermal behavior, and shape memory performance of developed materials. XRD and DSC characterization revealed transformation of semi-crystalline orthorhombic PLA structure to quasi-amorphous for both pure PLA-PCL and hybrid PLA-PCL-rGO composite scaffolds after heating and SME cycle. The addition of rGO promoted the change in the structure of prepared composites, and increase in mechanical characteristics. Electrospun hybrid PLA-PCL scaffolds with rGO are promising composites for tissue engineering applications, such as adaptable implants, due to pronounced SME.