Flexible magnetic polyurethane/Fe2O3 nanoparticles as organic-inorganic nanocomposites for biomedical applications: Properties and cell behavior

- Biodegradable and biocompatible incorporated organic-inorganic polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were prepared.
- The hydrophilicity of polyurethane/iron oxide nanocomposites (PU-IONs) was improved by increasing of magnetite nanoparticles.
- The magnetite nanocomposites showed greater electrical conductivity and surface roughness in contrast to neat polyurethane.
- The PU-IONs nanocomposites had suitable cell viability and hold promising potential for tissue engineering applications.

Nowadays, the discovery of cell behaviors and their responses in communication with the stem cell niches and/or microenvironments are one of the major topics in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, incorporated organic-inorganic polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were prepared for better understanding of cell signaling and the effect of magnetite nanoparticles on cell proliferation and cell responses. The properties of PU-IONs were evaluated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic-force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The presence of the iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) affects on the properties of polyurethane nanocomposites such as bulk morphology, mechanical, electrochemical, and biological properties. The electrical conductivity and hydrophilicity of PU-IONs were improved by increasing the magnetite nanoparticles; therefore water absorption, biodegradation and cell viability were changed. The biocompatibility of PU-IONs was investigated by MTT assay, cell attachment and cell staining. According to the results, the magnetite polyurethane nanocomposites could be a potential choice for cell therapy and tissue engineering, especially nerve repair.

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