Biocompatible pectin-functionalised-halloysite loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films for tissue engineering applications

The present study brings out the affirmative knowledge on covalently modified halloysite nanotube (HNT) with the biopolymer pectin and their poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films. The kaolin grouped HNTs have rooted a path for incorporation of pectin-functionalised-HNTs (Pec-f-HNT) into a PVA matrix. The as modified HNTs and polymer nanocomposite films were characterised by using FTIR, SEM, AFM, XRD and TGA. Furthermore, the nanocomposite films have been subjected for UTM; swelling as well as enzymatic degradation in-vitro. The morphological studies have revealed the increased ability of the polymer films compared to plane PVA towards surface roughness with increasing percentage of pectin-functionalised HNTs. In addition, the behaviour of films towards water molecules was established by contact angle measurements. Hemocompatibility has driven a step forward to being all the films heme-protective. The polymer nanocomposite films along with plane PVA were followed up for cell adhesion and cell proliferation with mouse fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells and the results have been confirmed their potential usability in tissue engineering applications.

Automated summary

The present study demonstrates the incorporation of pectin-functionalised halloysite nanotubes (Pec-f-HNT) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix, resulting in polymer nanocomposite films. The modified HNTs and nanocomposite films were characterized using various techniques. The nanocomposite films showed enhanced surface roughness and water behavior compared to plain PVA. The films also exhibited hemocompatibility and were found to promote cell adhesion and proliferation, indicating their potential use in tissue engineering applications.