evaluation of mechanical properties and cell viability of poly(3‑hydroxybutyrate)‑chitosan/al_2o_3 nanocomposite scaffold for cartilagetissue engineering

Background: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alumina nanowires as reinforcementphases in polyhydroxybutyrate‑chitosan (phb‑cts) scaffolds to apply in cartilage tissueengineering. methods: a certain proportion of polymers and alumina was chosen. after optimizationof electrospun parameters, phb, phb‑cts, and phb‑cts/3% al_2o_3 nanocomposite scaffoldswere randomly electrospun. scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,water contact angle measurement, tensile strength, and chondrocyte cell culture studies were used toevaluate the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the scaffolds. results: the averagefiber diameter of scaffolds was 300–550 nm and the porosity percentages for the first layer of alltypes of scaffolds were more than 81%. scaffolds’ hydrophilicity was increased by adding aluminaand cts. the tensile strength of scaffolds decreased by adding cts and increased up to more than10 folds after adding alumina. chondrocyte viability and proliferation on scaffolds were better afteradding cts and alumina to phb. conclusion: with regard to the results, electrospun phb‑cts/3%al_2o_3 scaffold has the appropriate potential to apply in cartilage tissue engineering.