Investigation of attributes of bourbon oil and cobalt nitrate constituted electrospun nanoscaffolds for blood compatibility and in vitro bone formation

Abstract

This work aims to fabricate scaffold using polyurethane (PU) integrated with bourbon oil (BB) and cobalt nitrate (CoNO₃) using the electrospinning technique. Morphological investigation signified a fall in fibre diameter for the PU/BB and PU/BB/CoNO₃ nanocomposite than the PU. Spectral analysis indicated that BB and CoNO₃ were added within the PU matrix. Wettability analysis insinuated an increase in the hydrophobic nature of the PU/BB than the PU. PU/BB/CoNO₃ turned to be hydrophilic due to the integration of CoNO₃ in the polymer matrix. Mechanical testing of PU/BB and PU/BB/CoNO₃ indicated an increase in the tensile strength of the fabricated composites. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) portrayed the reduction in the roughness of the PU/BB and PU/BB/CoNO₃ compared to the PU. The coagulation studies invariably documented the improved anticoagulant behaviour and less toxic nature of the PU/BB and PU/BB/CoNO₃ in comparison with the PU. Further, bone mineralization testing revealed the enhanced apatite formation of the nanocomposite. Nanocomposite scaffolds with the fore-mentioned properties hold good potential for bone tissue engineering.

Key words
PU; CoNO3; bourbon oil; Electrospun Scaffold; bone tissue applications