Fabrication and Characterization of Tri-Layered Electrospun Membranes for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

This study centres on the development and detailed evaluation of a tri-layered electrospun membrane designed to mimic natural tissue architecture for bone regeneration applications. The membranes consist of three unique layers: the outer layer is made of PLA embedded with Zr-ZnO nanoparticles, the middle core layer comprises PCL infused with Vitamin E, and the innermost layer is formed from Silk Fibroin (SF) incorporated with Si-HA to promote antibacterial activity, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis, respectively. To comprehensively assess the structural and functional properties of the scaffold, a range of characterization tools was employed, including FTIR, SEM, contact angle testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, micro-computed tomography, and porosity measurements. These analyses confirmed the presence of uniform fiber formation, interconnected pore networks, surface hydrophilicity, and mechanical flexibility across the tri-layered structure. Biological assessments in vitro involved antibacterial activity, material degradation behaviour, swelling capacity, and cell-based assays using osteoblast-like cells. The membrane demonstrated minimal cytotoxic effects, strong antibacterial performance, and high cell viability. Additionally, cell adhesion and migration were notably enhanced, as observed through staining techniques and migration analysis. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of this multi-layered electrospun scaffold as a viable candidate for bone repair applications. Its design effectively merges mechanical strength, biodegradability, and biological activity, marking a meaningful advancement in the field of regenerative biomaterials