Synergistic effect of citric acid on hydroxyapatite nucleation on poly(butylene succinate-co-ethylene terephthalate)/nano-hydroxyapatite nanofiber for bone scaffold

An elastic nanocomposite consisting of poly(butylene succinate-co-ethylene terephthalate) and nano-hydroxyapatite was produced through the electrospinning technique, and the influence of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in the nanofiber, along with the presence of citric acid in simulated body fluid, was examined with respect to the wet chemical nucleation of hydroxyapatite. The structure of the nanoparticles, as well as their dispersion on the nanofiber surface, was investigated using EDS and SEM, respectively. The inclusion of nanoparticles in the nanofiber structure leads to the formation of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles that coat the entire surface of the scaffold, with some regions showing particle clustering. The introduction of citric acid promotes particle dispersion, eliminating particle clustering and achieving a highly consistent distribution across the fibers. In the optimal case, a nanocomposite with a composition of 63.4% nanoparticles and 36.6% elastic polymer fibers is produced. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was assessed using MTT assays, immunofluorescent cell staining, and the interaction between the scaffolds and cells in an osteogenic environment was examined through Alizarin Red staining.

Graphical Abstract

Fabrication of bone ECM-like scaffolds with a high percentage of nanohydroxyapatite using the wet chemical method.