Characterization of Chitosan Based Hybrid Nanofiber Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Polymeric nanofibers that mimic the structure and function of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) are of great interest in tissue engineering as scaffolding materials to restore, maintain or improve the function of human tissues. Electrospinning has been recently developed as an effective technique for nanofiber fabrication. In our study, the electropsinning method is used to create hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds made of widely accepted natural biopolymer i.e. chitosan, and polycaprolactone (PCL), a well-known synthetic biocompatible polymer. Solutions of chitosan in trifluroacetic acid and PCL in trifluroethanol were first prepared separately and mixed together to get the final electrospining solution. To achieve the fine electrospun nanofibers of chitosan/PCL composite we varied the solution concentration and adjusted electrospinning variables. The morphology of the scaffold was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the mechanical strength and elasticity of the material measured using Microtensile test. Potential use of this nanofibrous matrix for tissue engineering was studied by examining the cellular compatibility.