title: Poly(propylene fumarate)/Polyethylene Glycol-Modified Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Tissue Engineering.
abstract: Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF)-based nanocomposites incorporating different amounts of polyethylene glycol-functionalized graphene oxide (PEG-GO) have been prepared via sonication and thermal curing, and their surface morphology, structure, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, water absorption, biodegradation, cytotoxicity, mechanical, viscoelastic and antibacterial properties have been investigated. SEM and TEM images corroborated that the noncovalent functionalization with PEG caused the exfoliation of GO into thinner flakes. IR spectra suggested the presence of strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between the nanocomposite components. A gradual rise in the level of hydrophilicity, water uptake, biodegradation rate, surface roughness, protein absorption capability and thermal stability was found upon increasing GO concentration in the composites. Tensile tests revealed improved stiffness, strength and toughness for the composites compared to unfilled PPF, ascribed to a homogeneous GO dispersion within the matrix along with a strong PPF/PEG-GO interfacial adhesion via polar and hydrogen bonding interactions. Further, the nanocomposites retained enough stiffness and strength under a biological state to provide effective support for bone tissue formation. The antibacterial activity was investigated against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli microorganisms, and it rose sharply upon increasing GO concentration; systematically, the biocide effect was stronger versus Gram-positive bacteria. Cell viability data demonstrated that PPF/PEG-GO composites do not induce toxicity over human dermal fibroblasts. These novel materials show great potential to be applied in the bone tissue engineering field.
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Biology, Environmental Sciences and Chemistry, Alcalá University , E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Díez-Pascual
authors.affiliation: Airbus Operations S. L. , John Lennon s/n, 28906 Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Angel L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Díez-Vicente
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005650:Fumarates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005650:Fumarates; D010087:Oxides; D011108:Polymers; D011409:Propylene Glycols; C508734:poly(ethylene glycol fumarate); C012504:polypropylene glycol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006108:Graphite
keywords: graphene oxide; mechanical properties; nanocomposites; poly(propylene fumarate); polyethylene glycol; tissue engineering