Construction of eco-friendly and biologically active polycaprolactone/silicon dioxide-vitamin B₉ bio-nanocomposite films: morphology, thermal, mechanical, and bioactivity investigations

Abstract

Using bio-safe materials with biodegradable features is a new asset in bone tissue engineering. We modified the silicon dioxide (SiO₂) NPs with Vitamin B₉ (VB₉) to improve their dispersion in the polycaprolactone (PCL) and used them as reinforcement for the fabrication of PCL/SiO₂-VB₉ bio-nanocomposite (bio-NC) films with 2.5, 5, and 7.5 wt% of SiO₂-VB₉. The PCL/SiO₂-VB₉ bio-NC films were investigated by various analyses such as thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The TGA results showed about 6 wt% of VB₉ on the surface of SiO₂. Finally, the bioactive properties of the obtained PCL/SiO₂-VB₉ bio-NC films were evaluated.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Biocompatibility
• hydroxyapatite
• In vitro bioactivity
• polycaprolactone
• SiO₂ nanoparticles

Acknowledgments

The authors are gratefully acknowledged the Research Affairs Division of Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Isfahan. Iran are also acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors thankfully acknowledge the support from the Research Affairs Division of the Isfahan University of Technology.