Core–shell Au@Se nanoparticles embedded in cellulose acetate/polyvinylidene fluoride scaffold for wound healing

Using a pulsed laser ablation system, core–shell Au@Se nanoparticles (Au@Se NPs) were efficiently synthesized and incorporated into a polymeric nanofibrous cellulose acetate (CA)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solution prior to electrospinning. Highly crystalline Au@Se NPs were formed in a spherical core/shell configuration with core and shell diameters of 10.5 nm and 25 nm, respectively. The networked scaffolds were decorated with micro-distensions with lengths ranging from 2.8 to 4.3 μm at the lowest Au@Se NPs content. Cell viability analysis confirmed the high biocompatibility of the produced scaffolds, with survival ratios around 91.1 ± 3.4% and 88.2 ± 4.3% at the lowest and highest concentrations of Au@Se NPs, respectively. Obviously, the cells spread and proliferated significantly through the nanofibers. Moreover, the cells not only grew on the surface, but also connected through the deeply porous interior of the nanoparticles. The compositions of these nanofibrous scaffolds can be manipulated to realize a new design for the dressing and healing of wounded tissues.