Electrospun chitosan/polyethylene-oxide (PEO)/halloysites (HAL) membranes for bone regeneration applications

Fabricating biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment of human tissue with appropriate functional, biomechanical, and biocompatible properties remains a challenge. This research aims to fabricate chitosan/polyethylene-oxide (PEO) membranes reinforced with halloysite nanotubes (HAL) as potential scaffolds for bone regeneration applications through facile electrospinning method. Morphological study through FESEM and STEM imaging demonstrated the presence of HAL along the chitosan/PEO fiber matrix with average fiber diameter ranged from 72.07 ± 3.30 nm to 154.87 ± 6.77 nm. Furthermore, the membranes incorporated with up to 5 wt% HAL revealed to have a larger pore, which was suitable for bone regeneration applications. Moreover, the mechanical tests showed that the fabricated chitosan/PEO/HAL membranes exhibited appropriate tensile strength properties to support the growth of osteoblast cells. Thermal stability analysis showed an improved behavior with the addition of HAL to the chitosan/PEO membranes. In addition, the surface wettability of the chitosan/PEO membrane reinforced with 0–5 wt% of HAL ranged between 0 to 75o, thus showed a hydrophilic nature appropriate for bone tissue regeneration. Besides, natural human osteoblast cell (NHOst) culturing demonstrated the cell adhesion and cell interaction with chitosan/PEO with 5 wt% HAL membrane through the attachment of matured NHOst and primary osteoblast cells on the membranes. Further in vitro analysis revealed that chitosan/PEO with 5 wt% HAL membranes increased the ALP activity by 2.5 times at the 14 days. In summary, the results obtained from this study demonstrated the potential of chitosan/PEO/HAL membranes for bone regeneration applications.