title: γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles filled polyvinyl alcohol as potential biomaterial for tissue engineering scaffold.
abstract: Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticle with its unique magnetic properties is recently known to enhance the cell growth rate. In this study, γ-Fe2O3 is mixed into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and then electrospun to form nanofibers. Design of experiments was used to determine the optimum parameter settings for the electrospinning process so as to produce elctrospun mats with the preferred characteristics such as good morphology, Young's modulus and porosity. The input factors of the electrospinnning process were nanoparticles content (1-5%), voltage (25-35 kV), and flow rate (1-3 ml/h) while the responses considered were Young's modulus and porosity. Empirical models for both responses as a function of the input factors were developed and the optimum input factors setting were determined, and found to be at 5% nanoparticle content, 35 kV voltage, and 1 ml/h volume flow rate. The characteristics and performance of the optimum PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats were compared with those of neat PVA nanofiber mats in terms of morphology, thermal properties, and hydrophilicity. The PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats exhibited higher fiber diameter and surface roughness yet similar thermal properties and hydrophilicity compared to neat PVA PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats. Biocompatibility test by exposing the nanofiber mats with human blood cells was performed. In terms of clotting time, the PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofibers exhibited similar behavior with neat PVA. The PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofibers also showed higher cells proliferation rate when MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was done using human skin fibroblast cells. Thus, the PVA/γ-Fe2O3 electrospun nanofibers can be a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering scaffolds.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nor Hasrul Akhmal
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Ngadiman
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia. Electronic address: ani@cheme.utm.my.
authors.forename: Ani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Idris
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Denni
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kurniawan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Noordin Mohd
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Yusof
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Rozita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nasiri
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D004560:Electricity; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D005337:Fibrin; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D002122:Calcium Chloride
keywords: Biomaterials; Electrospinning; Magnetic nanoparticle; Nanofiber; Tissue engineering