Titanium dioxide nanotubes incorporated carboxymethyl cellulose 2D film and 3D scaffold for bone tissue treatment

Bone tissue engineering demands advanced materials with exceptional bioactivity to facilitate efficient bone regeneration. This study focuses on the development and characterization of titanium dioxide nanotubes integrated into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC + TiO₂NT) 2D films and 3D scaffolds, designed for potential use in bone tissue treatment. The titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO₂NT) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and incorporated into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) matrices to enhance structural integrity and bioactive properties. The 2D film and 3D scaffold were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate their morphological, chemical, and structural attributes. Additionally, the swelling behavior, porosity, and degradation rate of the materials were examined to assess their suitability for bone tissue applications. The findings reveal that the inclusion of TiO₂NT in the CMC-based 2D film and 3D scaffold promotes the formation of NaCl and hydroxyapatite (HAp), respectively. The CMC + 10 wt% TiO₂NT 3D scaffold induced the formation of a HAp-like layer after immersion in simulated body fluid, as confirmed by SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and XRD analyses, indicating promising in vitro bioactivity for potential bone tissue applications. Moreover, the 3D scaffold exhibits high swelling capacity, porosity, and a controlled degradation rate, which collectively support their good performance for HAp formation. These results highlight the promise of the CMC + 10 wt% TiO₂NT 3D scaffold as a viable solution for bone tissue engineering, with the potential to enhance patient outcomes in the treatment of bone defects.