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CC BY 4.0 · Eur J Dent
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809145
Original Article

The Combination of Graphene and Polycaprolactone Scaffolds Enhancing Bone Mineralization and Hydroxyapatite

Silvia Anitasari 
1   Department of Dental Materials and Devices, Dentistry Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda, Indonesia
2   Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda, Indonesia
,
Nataniel Tandirogang
2   Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda, Indonesia
,
Hendrik Setia Budi 
3   Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
,
Yung-Kang Shen 
4   School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
,
Hadi Irawiraman
5   Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda, Indonesia
,
Marut Tangwattanachuleeporn
6   Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
7   Research Unit for Sensor Innovation, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
› Institutsangaben
Funding This study was supported by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia under Grant Number 619/UN17.L1/HK/2024.
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating varying concentrations of graphene (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt%) into polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds on mineralization and hydroxyapatite formation for bone tissue engineering applications.

Materials and Methods

PCL scaffolds were fabricated with three different graphene concentrations: 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt%. The scaffolds underwent characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to assess chemical composition and mineralization. Radiological imaging was employed to evaluate structural integrity and mineral density over a 21-day period. Additionally, histology analysis was performed to assess cellular interactions and scaffold integration.

Results

FTIR analysis on day 7 indicated early mineralization across all scaffolds, evidenced by phosphate (∼1030 cm−1) and hydroxyl (∼3500 cm−1) peaks, suggesting initial hydroxyapatite deposition. By day 21, the 2.5 wt% graphene scaffold demonstrated the highest degree of mineralization, with significantly increased hydroxyapatite formation compared with the other groups. However, this scaffold also exhibited signs of degradation, implying that higher graphene concentrations might compromise long-term scaffold stability. The 1.5 wt% graphene scaffold showed consistent mineralization and favorable osteoconductivity but did not reach the mineral deposition levels observed in the 2.5 wt% group.

Conclusion

Incorporating graphene into PCL scaffolds enhances mineralization and hydroxyapatite formation, with the 2.5 wt% concentration achieving the most substantial effects. The 2.5 wt% graphene scaffold presents a balanced alternative, promoting steady mineralization and maintaining structural integrity, making it a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.

Keywords

polycaprolactone - graphene - mineralization - bone regeneration


Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. Mai 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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