Electrospun poly (butylene succinate)/cellulose nanocrystals bio-nanocomposite scaffolds for tissue engineering: Preparation, characterization and in vitro evaluation

Three-dimensional (3D) bio-nanocomposite poly (butylene succinate) (PBS)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) scaffolds were fabricated by a solvent mixture of chloroform (CF) and methanol (MeOH) via electrospinning technique. Morphological, thermal, mechanical, and hydrophilicity as well as in vitro degradation and biocompatibility properties of the electrospun fibrous bio-nanocomposite scaffolds were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the average diameter of the electrospun fibers decreased with increase in CNC concentration. The incorporation of CNC not only enhanced the thermostability, and 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% CNC significantly increased the crystallinity of PBS matrix, but also improved the tensile strength, Young's modulus and hydrophilicity of PBS matrix with an optimum 3 wt% CNC. Moreover, it also improved the porosity and decreased the density of the PBS/CNC scaffolds. In vitro degradation results showed that PBS/CNC3 scaffold had better bio-degradation ability, from 4.5% of neat PBS to 13.74% of PBS/CNC3 in 28 days. 3T3 fibroblast cell culture was performed to confirm the good biocompatibility of the scaffolds. Cells were found to proliferate better on the PBS/CNC3 scaffolds, as compared to neat PBS scaffolds in 7 days. •PBS/CNC bio-nanocomposite scaffolds were prepared via electrospinning.•The addition of CNC enhanced strength and hydrophilicity of the scaffolds.•The incorporation of CNC improved the in vitro degradation rate of the scaffolds.•3T3 Fibroblast cell culture verified the scaffolds' biocompatibility.