Membranas nanofibrosas obtidas por electrospinning contendo nanopartículas de pentóxido de nióbio e suas aplicações em biomateriais

Abstract

The requirement for modern and efficient materials that are capable of accelerating the healing process and regeneration of human tissues and organs has considerably increased. The present study aimed to develop membranes with improved properties for skin and bone tissue applications. Membranes were fabricated by the electrospinning process and composed by polymeric matrix containing niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) nanoparticles. The membrane for epithelial tissue application was obtained using poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and different concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5% w/w) of Nb2O5 nanoparticles (PLA/Nb). The membrane for bone tissue was made of polycaprolactone (PC), gelatin (GL), 2% (w/w) hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles and different concentrations (0, 3, 7, and 10% w/w) of calcined Nb2O5 nanoparticles (PGHANb). HA and Nb2O5 nanoparticles were obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (MHS) and the thermal treatment was effective to obtain more crystalline particles. Chemical and morphological characterizations confirmed the obtaining of calcined HA, as-obtained Nb2O5, and calcined Nb2O5 nanoparticles with hexagonal, pseudo-hexagonal and orthorhombic crystallographic structures, respectively. Both membranes were successfully obtained using the electrospinning process and the nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed on the surface all over the fiber length. The incorporation of nanoparticles did not modify the mechanical properties and wettability results of the different membranes (PLA/Nb and PGHANb). The incorporation of Nb2O5 nanoparticles into PLA/Nb membranes did not demonstrate cytotoxic results and induced cell proliferation without altering porosity. The introduction of Nb2O5 into the PGHANb membranes demonstrated bioactive properties by immersion in a simulated body fluid, inducing the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals on the surface of the membranes. These membranes also presented noncytotoxic results and contributed to cell proliferation and differentiation. This study has demonstrated that Nb2O5 is a material with promising bioactive and biocompatible properties for use in biomaterials. The nanofibrous membranes obtained by electrospinning containing Nb2O5 nanoparticles presented potential results for application in tissue engineering.