Fabrication of Bioactive Scaffold of Poly(ɛ‐Caprolactone) and Nanofiber Wollastonite Composite

Abstract

A scaffold of nanofiber wollastonite (nf‐WS) and poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) composite was fabricated, and the morphology, degradation, and cellular response to the scaffold were investigated. The results indicate that the composite scaffold contained open and interconnected pores ranging in size from 400 to 500 μm and exhibited a porosity of around 80%, as well as degradation of the scaffold in phosphate‐buffered saline. MTT tests demonstrated that MG 63 cell proliferation was greater on the composite scaffold than on PCL alone at 4 and 7 days of culture. Moreover, the level of alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells cultured on the composite scaffold was higher than that in cells grown on PCL alone at 7 days, and scanning electron microscopy revealed significant osteoblast‐like adhesion and ingrowth into the composite scaffold. Elevated levels of calcium (Ca) and silicon (Si) were detected in the culture medium during cell culture, and the continuous dissolution of nf‐WS produced a Ca‐ and Si‐rich environment that might stimulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. The composite scaffold was bioactive, as indicated by the formation of an apatite layer on the scaffold surface after immersion in cell medium.