Incorporation of carboxylation multiwalled carbon nanotubes into biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) for bone tissue engineering

▶ The carboxyl acid groups of acid-treated MWCNTs can form hydrogen bond with polymer matrix to enhance the dispersion of c-MWCNTs in the PLGA matrix. ▶ The incorporation of c-MWCNTs enhanced the mechanical strength of the nanocomposites due to the homogeneous distribution of c-MWCNTs in PLGA matrix. ▶ Addition of c-MWCNTs allowed a better hydrophilicity in the polymer matrix. ▶ The PLGA/c-MWCNT nanocomposites promoted the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of rat MSCs, which would provide new insights in the PLGA/c-MWCNT nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering.