Graphene oxide encapsulated forsterite scaffolds to improve mechanical properties and antibacterial behavior

It is very desirable to have good antibacterial properties and mechanical properties at the same time for bone scaffolds. Graphene oxide (GO) can increase the mechanical properties and antibacterial performance, while forsterite (Mg2SiO4) as the matrix can increase forsterite/GO scaffolds’ biological activity for bone tissue engineering. Interconnected porous forsterite scaffolds were developed by space holder processes for bone tissue engineering in this research. The forsterite/GO scaffolds had a porosity of 76%–78% with pore size of 300–450 μm. The mechanism of the mechanical strengthening, antibacterial activity, and cellular function of the forsterite/GO scaffold was evaluated. The findings show that the compressive strength of forsterite/1 wt.% GO scaffold (2.4 ± 0.1 MPa) was significantly increased, in comparison to forsterite scaffolds without GO (1.4 ± 0.1 MPa). Validation of the samples’ bioactivity was attained by forming a hydroxyapatite layer on the forsterite/GO surface within in vitro immersion test. The results of cell viability demonstrated that synthesized forsterite scaffolds with low GO did not show cytotoxicity and enhanced cell proliferation. Antibacterial tests showed that the antibacterial influence of forsterite/GO scaffold was strongly correlated with GO concentration from 0.5 to 2 wt.%. The scaffold encapsulated with 2 wt.% GO had the great antibacterial performance with bacterial inhibition rate around 90%. As results show, the produced forsterite/1 wt.% GO can be an attractive option for bone tissue engineering.