Synthesis of a three-dimensional network-structured scaffold built of silica nanotubes for potential bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

A silica nanotube scaffold with three-dimensional (3D) network structure for potential tissue engineering application was prepared via a scalable and eco-friendly template-assisted sol–gel process followed by calcination. Bacterial cellulose (BC) was used as both the template and the catalyst and the sol–gel process was conducted at ambient temperature and neutral pH. SEM, TEM, TGA, and the Brunauer–Emett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements were used to characterize the resultant silica nanotube scaffold. The as-prepared silica nanotubes are amorphous with distinct tubular structure and have an average outer diameter of less than 100 nm and a wall thickness of around 29 nm. The silica nanotube scaffold maintains the porous 3D network structure of BC template with numerous mesopores centered at 3.81 nm. Preliminary cell studies with L929 and MG-63 cell lines indicate that the silica nanotube scaffold supports cell attachment and spreading and shows excellent biocompatibility. These results demonstrate the potential application of the silica nanotube scaffold in bone tissue engineering and regeneration.