Modified halloysite nanotubes with Chitosan incorporated PVA/PVP bionanocomposite films: Thermal, mechanical properties and biocompatibility for tissue engineering

The HNTs (Halloysite nanotubes) were modified with chitosan and reinforced in the PVA/PVP matrix to fabricate the blend nanocomposite films for the biomedical field. The blend nanocomposite films were synthesized through the solution casting technique. The physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties were investigated to estimate their relevance for the biomedical application. Mechanical and thermal properties obtained were correlated to the morphological analysis via FE-SEM and AFM. The results of WCA, swelling behavior, and in-vitro enzymatic degradation studies were in accordance with the morphological properties. The overall results obtained revealed that nanocomposite films are formed with improved thermo-mechanical properties, uniform distribution, surface roughness, and enzymatic degradation, with a decrease in swelling ratio and hydrophilicity. The in-vitro cell line studies carried out via MTT (Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium) and AO-EB (Acridine orange-Ethidium bromide) assay for cell proliferation and adhesion activity of blend films showed their magnificent proliferative and adhesive activity compared to pure PVA/PVP film (118.31 +/- 0.68% proliferation for 5 wt%). The hemocompatibility of the nanocomposite films was determined via RBCs (0.46 +/- 0.05% hemolysis for 5 wt %). Thus the blend films could be potentially used in the tissue engineering field.