Silica incorporated chitosan-sodium alginate nanocomposite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

Here, we report on hydrothermally synthesized silica nanoparticles at three different weight percentages (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) and incorporated into chitosan-sodium alginate composite (4:4). The above biomimetic nanocomposites were prepared using solvent casting technique. Physico-chemical, in-vitro biocompatibility, antibacterial properties and cytotoxicity of silica nanoparticles and their biomimetic nanocomposites were analyzed. The studies on biomimetic nanocomposites showed rich in-vitro biocompatibility with improved physico-chemical parameters when compared to silica nanoparticles. Biomimetically made chitosan-sodium alginate scaffold (1 wt %) contained silica nanoparticles and yielded better biocompatibility under in vitro conditions. This material is considered as suitable for tissue engineering and biomedical uses.