Evaluation of ZnO-Vitamin B1 Nanoparticles on Bioactivity and Physiochemical Properties of the Polycaprolactone-Based Nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

In the present study, we investigated the use of thiamine chloride hydrochloride (vitamin B₁)-modified ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-VB₁ NPs) to reinforce polycaprolactone matrix. The stable and bioactive PCL/ZnO-VB₁ nanocomposites were fabricated with the combination of ultrasonication and solution casting methods. Transmission electron microscope results indicated that the ZnO-VB₁ NPs were uniformly dispersed in the matrix. The nanocomposites showed high hydroxyapatite formation (high bioactivity) in the simulated body fluid. The nanocomposites with 2 wt% of the modified nanoparticles were found to have highest mechanical strength. The nanocomposites with more nanofiller concentrations exhibited high wettability.