Fabrication of multifunctional cellulose/TiO₂ /Ag composite nanofibers scaffold with antibacterial and bioactivity properties for future tissue engineering applications.

In the present work, a novel strategy was explored to fabricate nanofiber scaffolds consisting of cellulose assimilated with titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). The concentration of the TiO₂ NPs in the composite was adjusted to 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt % with respect to polymer concentration used for the electrospinning of colloidal solutions. The fabricated composite scaffolds were dispensed to alkaline deacetylation using 0.05 M NaOH to remove the acetyl groups in order to generate pure cellulose nanofibers containing TiO₂ NPs. Moreover, to augment our nanofiber scaffolds with antibacterial activity, the in situ deposition approach of using Ag NPs was utilized with varied molar concentrations of 0.14, 0.42, and 0.71 M. The physicochemical properties of the nanofibers were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and contact angle meter studies. This demonstrated the presence of both TiO₂ and Ag NPs and complete deacetylation of nanofibers. The antibacterial efficiency of the nanofibers was scrutinized against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, revealing proper in situ deposition of Ag NPs and confirming the nanofibers are antibacterial in nature. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was accustomed using chicken embryo fibroblasts, which confirmed their potential role to be used as wound-healing materials. Furthermore, the fabricated scaffolds were subjected to analysis in simulated body fluid at 37°C to induce mineralization for future osseous tissue integration. These results indicate that fabricated composite nanofiber scaffolds with multifunctional characteristics will have a highest potential as a future candidate for promoting new tissues artificially.

Duke Scholars

Author Hilal Rather