Date of Award

6-2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Medical Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Adil Akkouch

Second Advisor

Dr. James Springstead

Third Advisor

Dr. Tyler Snoap

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop a biodegradable and conductive scaffold to mimic the piezoelectric properties of bone and the architecture of the extracellular matrix. Poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is a conductive polymer of great interest in tissue engineering due to excellent electrical stability and biocompatibility. To enhance its conductivity, dopants such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can be added. Engineered graphene oxide (GO) can also be introduced as oxidant to enhance conductivity and mechanical properties. PEDOT nanocomposites were synthesized by oxidative polymerization of 3, 4-Etylenedioxythiophene monomer (EDOT) in the presence of GO, DMSO, ferric chloride and various solvents. The reaction yield was determined as well as morphologies and chemical composition using SEM, EDS, TEM, and XPS. Cytocompatibility assays were performed on bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to assess cellular adhesion, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. GO/DMSO-doped PEDOT nanocomposites were then added to a 10% solution of Poly (є-caprolactone) (PCL) in chloroform and 3D nanofibrous scaffold was subsequently produced through melt-electrowriting (MEW) 3D printing technology. In summary, we produced a non-cytotoxic electroconductive polymer with effective dopants that was used in the fabrication of a nanofibrous bone scaffold. This electroactive scaffold may be useful for cellular growth, differentiation, and bone tissue formation.

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