Cellulose Nanocrystal Reinforced Bioactive Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanocomposite for Bone Tissue Engineering

摘要

Polymeric bone scaffolds are a promising tissue engineering approach for the repair of critical-size bone defects. Porous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds play an essential role as templates to guide new tissue formation. 3D printing techniques enable the fabrication of well-controlled scaffolds with a fully interconnected pore network and thus allow customization of bioresorbable polymeric bone scaffolds. However, there are critical challenges arising from the poor mechanical properties and low bioactivity of bioresorbable polymers, such as poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) in bone tissue engineering applications. One of the main focuses of this research is the potential use of surface-oxidized cellulose nanocrystals (SO-CNCs) as multi-functional additives that enhance the mechanical properties and increase the biomineralization rate of PCL. The goal is to develop a 3D printable bone scaffold that stimulates bone formation, provides adequate mechanical support during healing, and is gradually absorbed by the body.