Evaluation of ZnO-Vitamin B₁ Nanoparticles on Bioactivity and Physiochemical Properties of the Polycaprolactone-Based Nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

In the present study, we investigated the use of thiamine chloride hydrochloride (vitamin B₁)-modified ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-VB₁ NPs) to reinforce polycaprolactone matrix. The stable and bioactive PCL/ZnO-VB₁ nanocomposites were fabricated with the combination of ultrasonication and solution casting methods. Transmission electron microscope results indicated that the ZnO-VB₁ NPs were uniformly dispersed in the matrix. The nanocomposites showed high hydroxyapatite formation (high bioactivity) in the simulated body fluid. The nanocomposites with 2 wt% of the modified nanoparticles were found to have highest mechanical strength. The nanocomposites with more nanofiller concentrations exhibited high wettability.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Contact angle
• mechanical properties
• nanocomposites
• polycaprolactone
• thermal behavior

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Research Affairs Division Isfahan University of Technology (IUT, Isfahan), National Elite Foundation (NEF), Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) and Center of Excellence in Sensors and Green Chemistry Research (IUT) for their financial support.