Nanofibers of cellulose acetate containing ZnO nanoparticles/graphene oxide for wound healing applications

A combination of nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) or graphene oxide or both of them with cellulose acetate (CA) enhances a new functionality of nanofibers aiming to improve bio-composite materials for wound healing application. The obtained nanofibers have been investigated using XRD, FTIR, and FESEM. It was observed that the maximum height of the roughness increased from 253 to 651.9 nm for both GO and ZnO/GO in the powdered phase, while it plunged from 613 to 482 nm and developed to 801 nm for ZnO@CA, GO@CA, and ZnO/GO@CA, receptively. Further, the mechanical properties of the obtained scaffolds have been tested and displayed a tremendous variation of tensile strength from 5.44 +/- 0.81 to 12.87 +/- 0.93 and 8.82 +/- 1.2 MPa, while the toughness increased from 23.29 +/- 1.4 to 68.95 +/- 4.5 and 57.75 +/- 3.6 MJ/m(3) for ZnO@CA, GO@CA and ZnO/ GO@CA, receptively. Moreover, the cell viability was investigated and showed a progression of 97.38 +/- 3.9% for ZnO/O-G@CA. Furthermore, the adhesion of human fibroblasts cell line towards the obtained nanofibrous scaffolds were examined and displayed that cells were proliferated and spread considerably through the scaffolds, whereas their filopodia have followed the morphology of the fibers.

Automated summary

The combination of nanostructured zinc oxide or graphene oxide with cellulose acetate enhances the functionality of nanofibers for wound healing bio-composite materials. The resulting nanofibers exhibit improved mechanical properties and cell viability, as well as promoting cell adhesion and proliferation for wound healing applications.