Electrospun carboxyl multi-walled carbon nanotubes grafted polyhydroxybutyrate composite nanofibers membrane scaffolds: Preparation, characterization and cytocompatibility

•CMWCNT grafted PHB (CMWCNT-g-PHB) was prepared by condensation reactions.•PHB/CMWCNT-g-PHB composite nanofibers scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning.•The dispersibility and compatibility of CMWCNT in the PHB matrix was improved.•PHB/CMWCNT-g-PHB composite nanofibers scaffolds show good biocompatibility.

Electrospun polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/carboxyl multi-walled carbon nanotubes grafted polyhydroxybutyrate (CMWCNT-g-PHB) composite nanofibers scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning technology. The grafted product CMWCNT-g-PHB was prepared by condensation reactions between the carboxyl groups of CMWCNT and hydroxyl groups of PHB molecules and characterized by FTIR, XRD, XPS, TG and TEM measurements. The surface morphology, hydrophilicity and tensile mechanical properties of the electrospun PHB/CMWCNT-g-PHB composite nanofibers membrane scaffolds were investigated. The values of tensile strength, breaking elongation rate, initial modulus and fracture energy of the composite nanofibers scaffolds can reach to 4.64 MPa, 255.59%, 88 MPa and 109.73 kJ/m2, respectively. The biodegradability and cytocompatibility of the electrospun composite nanofibers scaffolds were preliminarily evaluated. The as-prepared electrospun PHB/CMWCNT-g-PHB composite nanofibers scaffolds with the characteristics of large specific area, high porosity, good biodegradability and cytocompatibility as well as sufficient mechanical properties should be more promising in the field of tissue engineering scaffolds and biological medicine.