Abstract
In this study, different concentrations of copper\vanadate ions have been substituted in hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles. The variation of these concentrations was done upon the formula of (xCu\V-HAP), whereas x is a molar ratio of the additional copper ions; 0.0 <= x <= 0.8, with a step of 0.2. The obtained co-doped HAP powder was then capsulated into PCL nanofibrous scaffolds via electrospinning technique to be examined for medical applications. The Cu\V-HAP and Cu\V-HAP@PCL are confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The surface morphology is detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The 0.8Cu\V-HAP powder displays regularity in grains and aggregates spreading alike the grain size is ranged from 0.11 to 2.2 mu m. the surface roughness of Cu\V-HAP Powder shows a growing up pattern, displaying a roughness average starting from 24.2 nm for 0.0Cu\V-HAP to 34.1 nm in 0.8Cu\V-HAP. The TEM micrographs of the highest copper content nanofibrous composite show HAP aggregation with a diameter of 0.1 mu m. The 0.8Cu\V-HAP@PCL micrograph represents filaments with homogeneous size and distribution, displaying sizes ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 mu m. The 0.6Cu\V-HAP@PCL nanofibrous composite achieves the highest (Rt) and (Rv) values with 822.76 and 426.86 nm. Regarding the mechanical behavior, the fracture strength exhibits a sharp decrease with copper ions insertion that free copper nanofibrous composite hits 0.66 +/- 0.15 MPa. Moreover, the contact angle shows a gradual decline from 0.0Cu\V-HAP@PCL composite (102 degrees +/- 3.2) to 0.8Cu\V-HAP@PCL nanofibrous composite (86 degrees +/- 2.2). The in vitro bioactivity was also examined to show their potential application for the wound healing acceleration process by the screened contact angle, anti-bacterial, and cell attachment imaging. The 0.8Cu\V-HAP@PCL nanofibrous composite records the maximum germicidal potential, reaching 21.7 +/- 0.7 mm for E. coli, and 20.7 +/- 0.8 mm for S. aureus. Cell viability reaches its maximum value (98.4 +/- 2%) for 0.8Cu\V-HAP@PCL. The examination of cell attachment shows an enhancement in the adhesion and proliferation behavior of human fibroblast cells toward the scaffold. The presence of antibacterial properties without showing significant cytotoxicity indicates a promising candidate for wound healing applications.