Background: Nanocomposites produced by reinforcement of polysaccharide matrix with nanoparticles are widely used in engineering of biomaterials. However, clinical applications of developed novel biomaterials are often limited due to their poor biocompatibility. Purpose: The aim of this work was to comprehensively assess biocompatibility of highly macroporous chitosan/agarose/nanohydroxyapatite bone scaffolds produced by a novel method combining freeze-drying with a foaming agent. Within these studies, blood plasma protein adsorption, osteoblast (MC3T3-E1 Subclone 4 and hFOB 1.19) adhesion and proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue were determined. The obtained results were also correlated with materials’ surface chemistry and wettability to explain the observed protein and cellular response. Results: Obtained results clearly showed that the developed nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized by high biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Importantly, the scaffolds also revealed osteoinductive properties since they have the ability to induce osteogenic differentiation (Runx2 synthesis) in undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells. The surface of biomaterials is extremely hydrophilic, prone to protein adsorption with the highest affinity toward fibronectin binding, which allows for good osteoblast adhesion, spreading, and proliferation. Conclusion: Produced by a novel method, macroporous nanocomposite biomaterials have great potential to be used in regenerative medicine for acceleration of the bone healing process.

Biopolymers formed into a fibrous morphology through electrospinning are of increasing interest in the field of biomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability and their ability to be biomimetic to various fibrous structures present in animal tissues. However, their mechanical properties are often unsatisfactory and their processing may be troublesome. Thus, extensive research interest is focused on improving these qualities. This review article presents the selection of the recent advances in techniques aimed to improve the electrospinnability of various biopolymers (polysaccharides, polynucleotides, peptides, and phospholipids). The electrospinning of single materials, and the variety of co-polymers, with and without additives, is covered. Additionally, various crosslinking strategies are presented. Examples of cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties are analyzed. Special attention is given to whey protein isolate as an example of a novel, promising, green material with good potential in the field of biomedicine. This review ends with a brief summary and outlook for the biomedical applicability of electrospinnable biopolymers.

The aim of this work was to investigate how chemical functionalization affects the electronic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, altering the electrophoretic deposition process: a method of choice for the fabrication of high quality, all-carbon nanotube (CNT) layers. Wet chemistry methods were applied to modify the surfaces of CNTs by insertion of various oxygen- and nitrogen-containing groups. Transmission electron microscopy revealed no significant changes in the material morphology, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy showed that changes in the chemical composition did not translate to the changes in the structure. Molecularly modelled optimized surface functional group geometries and electron density distributions allowed the calculation of the dipole moments (–COOH = 0.77; –OH = 1.65; –CON(CH₃CH₂)₂ = 3.33; –CONH₂ = 2.00; –NH₂ = 0.78). Due to their polarity, the introduction of surface functional groups resulted in significant modifications of the electronic properties of CNTs, as elucidated by work function measurements via the Kelvin method and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The work function changed from 4.6 eV (raw CNTs) to 4.94 eV for the –OH functionalized CNTs and 4.3 eV for the CNTs functionalized with –CON(CH₃CH₂), and was inversely proportional to the dipole moment values. Finally, using CNT dispersions, electrophoretic deposition was conducted, allowing the correlation of the work function of CNTs and the measured electrophoretic current with the impact on the deposits' qualities. Thus, a rational background for the development of carbon-based biomaterials was provided.

Initial protein adsorption to the material surface is crucial for osteoblast adhesion, survival, and rapid proliferation resulting in intensive new bone formation. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that modification of a chitosan matrix of chitosan/hydroxyapatite (chit/HA) biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications with linear β -1,3-glucan (curdlan) leads to promotion of serum protein adsorption to the resultant scaffold (chit/glu/HA) and thus in enhancement of osteoblast adhesion, spreading and proliferation. Fabricated biomaterials were pre-adsorbed with different protein solutions and then protein adsorption and osteoblast behavior on the scaffolds were compared. Moreover, surface chemical composition, wettability and surface energy of biomaterials were compared. Modification of the chitosan matrix with β -1,3-glucan introduces a greater polarpart in the resultant chitosan/ β -1,3-glucan matrix presumably resulting from more OH groups within the curdlan structure. Moreover, FTIR-ATR results suggest that there might be some sort of chemical interaction between the NH group of chitosan and the OH group of β -1,3-glucan. As a consequence, the chit/glu/HA scaffold adsorbs significantly more adhesion proteins that are crucial for osteoblasts compared to the chit/HA material, providing a higher density culture of well-spread osteoblasts on its surface. Obtained results revealed that not only is chit/glu/HA biomaterial a promising scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications, but the specific polysaccharide chit/glu matrix itself is promising for use in the biomedical material field to modify various biomaterials in order to enhance osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on their surfaces.

There is currently a growing demand for more effective thermal insulation materials with the best performance properties. This research paper presents the investigation results on the influence of two types of filler on the structure and properties of rigid polyurethane foam composites. Fly ash as a product of coal combustion in power plants and microspheres of 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%, were used as rigid polyurethane foams modifiers. The results of thermal analysis, mechanical properties testing, and cellular structure investigation performed for polyurethane composites show that the addition of fly ash, up to 10 wt.%, significantly improved the majority of the tested parameters. The use of up to 20 wt.% of microspheres improves the mechanical and thermal properties and thermal stability of rigid polyurethane foams.