This study discusses the value of polymer electrospun materials in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds and antibacterial wound dressings for potential dental applications. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers were used as bases for gingival fibroblast (HGF-1 cell line) growth. HGF-1 cells cultured on both types of nanofibers were found to have normal morphology and growth by selective staining of the nuclei and cytoskeleton. The nanofibers were synthesized on different collectors to obtain a random or parallel alignment. Cell growth was observed along the nanofibers. In addition, antibiotics were incorporated within the nanofibers and studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The release profile of the antibiotics was determined by broad band dielectric measurements. The drug was found to be released by Fickian diffusion. The WST-1 test found PCL and PCL/ampicillin nanofibers to have minimal cytotoxicity. The antibacterial activity of materials containing ampicillin was evaluated by zone inhibition against a selected oral strain of Streptococcus sanguinis. The bacterial growth was inhibited by antibiotic release from PCL/ampicillin mats.

The high specific surface area of multilayered two-dimensional carbides called MXenes, is a critical feature for their use in energy storage systems, especially supercapacitors. Therefore, the possibility of controlling this parameter is highly desired. This work presents the results of the influence of oxygen concentration during Ti₃AlC₂ ternary carbide—MAX phase preparation on α-Al₂O₃ particles content, and thus the porosity and specific surface area of the Ti₃C₂T_x MXenes. In this research, three different Ti₃AlC₂ samples were prepared, based on TiC-Ti₂AlC powder mixtures, which were conditioned and cold pressed in argon, air and oxygen filled glove-boxes. As-prepared pellets were sintered, ground, sieved and etched using hydrofluoric acid. The MAX phase and MXene samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The influence of the oxygen concentration on the MXene structures was confirmed by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area determination. It was found that oxygen concentration plays an important role in the formation of α-Al₂O₃ inclusions between MAX phase layers. The mortar grinding of the MAX phase powder and subsequent MXene fabrication process released the α-Al₂O₃ impurities, which led to the formation of the porous MXene structures. However, some non-porous α-Al₂O₃ particles remained inside the MXene structures. Those particles were found ingrown and irremovable, and thus decreased the MXene specific surface area.

The study discusses the value of electrospun cilostazol-loaded (CIL) polymer structures for potential vascular implant applications.