Evaluation of physicochemical and mechanical properties with the in vitro degradation of PCL/nHA/MWCNT composite scaffolds

The fabrication of biodegradable magnetic poly(caprolactone)(PCL)/nanohydroxyapatite (nHA)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite scaffolds by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) for bone regeneration is reported in this study. The magnetism tests completed on the porous matrices pointed to their ferromagnetic behavior. Both in-vitro degradation and mechanical properties are studied over eight weeks in a phosphate buffered solution (PBS) at 37°C. The addition of MWCNTs at quantities of up to 5% modified the structural morphology of the composite, producing regular structures with repetitive patterns. As from that quantity, the electrostatic charge of the nanotubes within an aqueous solution was insufficient for acceptable distribution of the nanoparticles, by means of ultrasonic dispersion. It resulted in an acceleration of the degradation behavior that was clear from the mechanical properties that weakened by up to 20%. The thermal properties were also influenced in that they formed shorter chains, which could be ordered with greater ease, as a consequence of the ester hydrolysis process.