Fabrication and Characterization of Fe-Mg/HAP-Loaded PCL/PEG Nanofibrous Membranes for Improved Wound Healing

This study investigates the effect of incorporating Fe/Mg-hydroxyapatite (Fe/Mg-HAP) nanoparticles into electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes, with a focus on surface wettability, morphology, biocompatibility and hemocompatibility for potential biomedical applications. The incorporation of Fe/Mg-HAP nanoparticles significantly enhanced the surface hydrophilicity, as evidenced by a decrease in the contact angle from 76.3º (PCL) to 67.4º (PFe/Mg-HAP), suggesting improved interaction with aqueous environments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and roughness measurements revealed that Fe/Mg-HAP incorporation led to the increased surface roughness, which is beneficial for protein adsorption and cell attachment. Biocompatibility studies demonstrated that the PFe/Mg-HAP membranes maintained high cell viability (~85%), supporting their potential for tissue engineering applications. Hemocompatibility evaluations showed the minimal hemolytic activity, moderate platelet adhesion and stable coagulation profiles, indicating a favourable interaction with blood components. These results highlight the promising potential of Fe/Mg-HAP-incorporated electrospun PCL membranes for use in blood-contacting medical devices, wound healing and tissue engineering. The study highlights the importance of nanofiller incorporation in enhancing the physico-chemical properties of electrospun membranes, providing the solution for their future application in regenerative medicines.