Development of PLA-Based Composite Nanofibers Incorporating Tricalcium Phosphate and Graphene Oxide for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Bone tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach for aiming to repair the damaged tissue using biomaterials. In this study, composite polylactic acid (PLA) matrices were produced via electrospinning incorporating 2 wt% tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and varying concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 wt%). The morphological properties and chemical compositions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to study the thermal properties of the nanofibers. Swelling and degradation behaviors were assessed, along with GO release kinetics. Overall, the novelty of this work lies in the optimized integration of GO, particularly at 0.4 wt%, which provides enhanced mechanical properties and superior biocompatibility. This composition exhibited enhanced swelling capacity and the lowest degradation rate over 30 days, supporting structural integrity and scaffold stability. GO release from the nanofibers followed a sustained and controlled profile, minimizing initial burst effects. Notably, PLA/TCP/0.4 GO achieved the highest hFOB cell viability on days 3 and 7. Collectively, these results identify 0.4 wt% GO as the optimal concentration, offering a well-balanced combination of mechanical robustness, degradation resistance, and biological performance for bone tissue engineering applications.