Faegheh Fotouhi Ardakani - Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Shohreh Mashayekhan - Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Omid Tavakoli
Neda Gilani

Introdution In this study, a hybrid electrospun scaffold was fabricated using Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF) containing Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanorod to obtain a nanofiber scaffold with desired mechanical and piezoelectric properties for bone tissue engineering application. Objectives In this study we prepare a new piezoelectric scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Methods The piezoelectric characteristic of PVDF as an electroactive responsive material, intensifies by addition of ZnO nanorods. Piezoelectric effects of PVDF is the most persuasive reason for PVDF usage which cause higher cell adhesion, growth and differentiation. Generally, piezoelectric polymers are utilized to produce electrical signals in response to the applied stress, which is an attractive field in bone tissue engineering. Results The crystallinity and piezoelectricity of ZnO-loaded PVDF nanofibers were measured by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) methods. Both FTIR and XRD analysis revealed that by increasing the ZnO nanorod amount, the β crystalline phase in PVDF increased. Moreover, scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed that the diameter of the fibers decreased with increasing nanorods content. PVDF and PCL have high mechanical properties and their combination further increased the Elastic modulus up to 38.4 MP, which might be considered as an appropriate scaffold for bone tissue engineering. Conclution This scaffold is appropriate for tissue engineering

Bone tissue engineeging, Polycaprolactone, Polyvinylidene-fluoride, Piezoelectric, Mechanical properties