Chitosan-hydroxyapatite-MWCNTs nanocomposite patch for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Abstract Herein we study the structure, mechanical, electrical properties of chitosan-hydroxyapatite-multiwall carbon nanotubes (CS-HAp-MWCNT) films in a wide range of concentrations and their biocompatibility with human osteoblasts to develop a biocompatible flexible patch. Properties of nanocomposites are assessed by SEM, FTIR, mechanical, and impedance measurements. It was shown that all properties strongly depend upon the agglomeration of fillers due to particle-particle interactions and the chitosan matrix. Nanocomposite films with 5\xa0wt% of HAp nanoparticles and 0.5\xa0wt% of MWCNT exhibit superior mechanical properties and a conductivity that compares well with human bone conductivity, and good biocompatibility with human osteoblasts. Our results suggest the high potential application of the proposed nanocomposites for the development of a flexible patch for bone tissue engineering.