PVA-Incorporated chitosan-aminated starch films with shape memory effect for tissue engineering applications

The structural integrity and biocompatibility of polymeric scaffolds are of paramount importance in advanced tissue-regeneration applications. Biopolymers offer biocompatibility, but lack sufficient structural integrity required by tissues. This study presents the design of biopolymer films composed of chitosan and aminated starch incorporated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), fabricated via a casting route to achieve high mechanical robustness and biocompatibility. Structural, morphological, mechanical, biocompatibility, and thermal analyses were conducted to determine the functional competence of the films. Mechanical testing using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) revealed the high tensile strength and flexibility of the PVA-chitosan-aminated starch (PCAS) films, while in-vitro biocompatibility analysis confirmed the cell viability, as well as efficient attachment and proliferation. The surface morphology examination highlighted a homogeneous surface, whereas the X-ray diffraction studies indicated the crystalline nature of the films. Thermogravimetry revealed an enhancement in high-temperature resilience with an increase in the polyvinyl alcohol composition of the films. In vitro investigation demonstrated good hemocompatibility and cell viability of 92%, making the developed system suitable for biomedical applications. A shape fixation coefficient of 98.2% and shape recovery of 88.8% for the PCAS films could significantly improve tissue implantation. Additionally, the stable degradation profiles and swelling capacity suggest its potential for sustained functionality, while addressing the different key challenges in tissue engineering.

Graphical Abstract