FABRICATION OF ELECTROACTIVE SCAFFOLD ON BIOCOMPATIBLE POLYMER-BASED-SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING COMMERCIAL 3D PRINTER

• Main Author: Majid Ar Rasyid, Helmi
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/68555
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Research related to scaffolds has been widely carried out, especially bone scaffolds. Bones that are known to need and are able to produce electrical signals, benefit when given an electric stimulus at the time of injury. Scaffolds with the ability to provide electrical responses (electroactive) can be fabricated using a biocompatible and biodegradable non-conductive polymer matrix with conductive fillers to meet this need. AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) have the ability to conduct electricity and excellent antibacterial properties. Antibacterial ability is a special added value for AgNPs, which can prevent infection in the scaffold installation process. The synthesis of AgNPs performed is an environmentally friendly synthesis (green synthesis) using cilembu sweet potato extract (Ipomoea batatas L var. Rancing) as a reducing agent of ion Ag+ and stabilizing or capping agent so that no agglomeration of AgNPs occurs. AgNPs are prepared by synthesizing AgNO3 solutions with a concentration of 10 mM and cilembu sweet potato extract. AgNPs that have been successfully synthesized are then carried out UV-Vis, FTIR and XRD characterizations. UV-Vis characterization in AgNPs is obtained by peak SPR (surface plasmon resonance) below 450 nm. By using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) it is known that AgCl was found in addition to AgNPs. AgNPs are then mixed with biocompatible and biodegradable polymers which act as electroactive nanocomposite scaffold matrices. PCL (policaprolactone) is used as the matrix's first choice. Pure PCL, as the first variation, is made into a filament with the help of a commercial filament extruder. After successfully being made, the PCL filament is fabricated using a commercial 3D printer. In the fabrication process, it is known that the relatively soft nature of PCL results in jamming in the 3D printer's extruder gear. The soft nature of PCL is caused by PCL having passed through the glass phase, due to the low temperature of the glass transition (TG). Therefore, PLA (polylactic acid) is used as an electroactive nanocomposite scaffold polymer matrix. PLA is biocompatible and is more rigid than PCL. Pure PLA filaments and PLA/AgNPs nanocomposite filaments with variations in the addition of fillers were successfully made. The variations given are 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5% wt AgNPs. The scaffold is then fabricated using a filament that has been made as its material. Characterizations performed to determine the nature of scaffolds are morphological observations using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy), compression test, contact angle measurement (wettability test), and conductivity test. Observations with SEM can be seen by the surface morphology of the scaffold, both from above and from the side. Measurement of the diameter of the micro filament and the width of the pore can also be done. EDS results with an acceleration voltage of 5 kV indicate the presence of silver detected in the scaffold. Press tests show that pure PLA scaffolds have the highest strength, then PLA/0.1% wt AgNPs composite scaffolds, PLA/0.3% wt AgNPs composite scaffolds, and PLA/0.5% wt AgNPs composite scaffolds. The strength of the scaffold is supported by the image of SEM observations that show a lot of pores, which are likely caused by bubbles when preparing composite pellets, on micro filaments. Measurement of contact angles at each scaffold variation indicates a decrease in contact angle value based on the number of AgNPs added. Conductivity tests show a decrease in the value of resistances as AgNPs are added.