Cytocompatible scaffolds of poly(L-lactide)/reduced graphene oxide for tissue engineering
Esperanza Dı́az, Naroa Iglesias, Sylvie Ribeiro, S. Lanceros‐Méndez
Abstract
Poly(L-lactide)/reduced graphene oxide (PLLA/rGO) scaffolds were studied in the present work. The scaffolds were fabricated by TIPS (thermally induced phase separation). Nonisothermal crystallization study for PLLA/rGO was investigated and revealed the nucleating effect of rGO. rGO effect on cytotoxicity, thermal properties, and hydrolysis resistance of PLLA and PLLA/rGO scaffolds were analysed. In vitro degradation in phosphate-buffered solution at 37 °C is analyzed over twelve weeks. A high crystalline behaviour reduces the speed of hydrolysis and therefore implies less variation in pH, mass loss and water up take. The rGO does not seem to accelerate the degradation process. Finally, rGO contents in PLLA up to 1 wt% dos not lead to cytotoxic effect, the scaffolds supporting cell adhesion and proliferation.