Processing of Chitosan/ Poly (ethylene oxide)/ Bioglass Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

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Restricted (Penn State Only)
Author:
Krebs, Alexis
Area of Honors:
Biomedical Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Patrick Mather, Thesis Supervisor
Justin Lee Brown, Thesis Honors Advisor
Maziar Montazerian, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
electrospinning
tissue engineering
nanofibers
chitosan
polyethylene oxide
bioglass
periodontal disease
Abstract:
The processing of nanofibrous scaffolds composed of low molecular weight chitosan (CS) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO), supplemented with boron-based glass was studied for bone tissue engineering applications. Novel scaffolds with enhanced bone regeneration and mechanical properties were developed to serve as a foundation for an alternative treatment for periodontal disease. Currently, periodontal disease treatments focus on slowing the progression of bone and tissue decay but not the reversal. CS and PEO are biocompatible polymers with versatile uses in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Bioactive boron-based glass (BBG) particles were incorporated into the scaffolds by directly mixing the particles in the polymeric solutions to improve bone regeneration. Electrospinning was employed to fabricate nanofibers with high surface area and porosity that could suspend bioactive glass particles in the webs, key factors in promoting bone tissue growth. Morphological characterization of the nanofibers was conducted via visual observation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses revealed that manipulating the concentration of bioglass (BG) percent in the spinning solution yielded different fiber properties, with increased bioglass percentage leading to stiffer and more brittle webs. Dual electrospinning was later utilized to incorporate polycaprolactone (PCL) as a support polymer for the CS/PEO/BG fibers. Results from this showed that the increase in PCL solution concentration improved the overall strength of the nanofibrous webs. Overall, the results of this thesis successfully showed that electrospinning CS/PEO solutions with the addition of bioglass was possible, and nanofibers with bioglass particles suspended in the webs were obtained. Furthermore, the addition of PCL through dual spinning provided the structural integrity necessary for mechanical characterization and future stability for use within the body.