Abstract

In the present study, different weight ratios of electrospun bioactive glass nanofibers (3, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 35 wt ) (BGF) were added to calcium sulfate cement (CSC). Physical and mechanical properties of CSC/BGF cornposites were evaluated and compared with CSC. Initial and final setting times of CSC were reduced from 12 to 27 min to 6 and 21 min by increasing of BGF content, up to 15 wt. BGFs with the average diameter of 80-100 nm were achieved by appropriate controlling of electrospinning parameters. SEM observations of nanocomposites revealed that BGFs filled the spaces between the crystals of the gypsum phase FTIR analysis and X-ray diffraction of the composites were confirmed the presence of BGF in the cement matrix. The best mechanical values (E similar to 800 MPa and sigma similar to 30 MPa) were related to CSC containing 15 wt of BGF (CSC/15BGF). Apatite clusters were seen on the surface of CSC/15 BGF composite after 14 days of soaking in body fluid (SBF) solution. A.O. staining and MTT assay confirmed the absence of toxicity reactions for CSC/15BGF nanocomposite. Alizarin red staining and calcium content were affirmed the biomineralization, and the expression of osteogenesis markers corroborated the differentiation potential of CSC/BGF. Collectively, our findings supported bioactivity and biocompatibility of CSC/15BGF nanocomposite as a promising candidate for bone healing applications.