Abstract
Electrospun composite scaffolds of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and bioactive glass (BG) nanoparticles offer a promising strategy for bone tissue engineering by combining the mechanical flexibility of polymers with the osteoconductive properties of bioglasses. In this study, we fabricated PLLA/BG composite scaffolds with varying BG concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt%) via electrospinning and systematically evaluated their morphology, mechanical properties, surface hydrophilicity, and in vitro biodegradation behavior over 28 days in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The incorporation of BG nanoparticles significantly improved the surface hydrophilicity of the scaffolds, reducing the water contact angle from 125° for pure PLLA to 78° for the 15 wt% BG composite. Mechanical testing revealed that the tensile strength and Young's modulus peaked at 10 wt% BG loading (4.8 MPa and 112 MPa, respectively), representing a substantial improvement over pure PLLA, whereas higher loadings (15 wt%) led to particle agglomeration and a subsequent decline in mechanical performance. Biodegradation assays demonstrated accelerated mass loss in composite scaffolds, accompanied by a stable pH profile due to the buffering capacity of the released alkaline ions from the BG nanoparticles. Furthermore, immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) confirmed the rapid formation of a crystalline apatite layer on the composite fibers. These findings suggest that the electrospun PLLA/BG composite scaffold with 10 wt% BG represents an optimized construct balancing mechanical integrity, bioactivity, and degradation kinetics for bone regeneration applications.
