Composites of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan reinforced with zinc oxide nanoparticles for regenerative therapy

Recently, the demand for alternative therapies for tissue restoration based on biomaterials that facilitate tissue restoration processes and avoid microbial infections has increased. In this work, we have synthesized four composite formulations based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The leading bands in the infrared spectrum of PVA and CS were evident, as well as the incorporation of NPs-ZnO. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that the interaction of the ZnO-NPs with the carbonyl group thermally destabilizes the composites. The morphological study using scan electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the composites incorporated with ZnO-NPs present an irregular and rough porous microstructure due to the evaporation of the solvent. Examination of the implanted composites by histological analysis demonstrated their biocompatibility and biodegradability 60 days after implantation. The simultaneous degradation and formation of type I collagen fibers, with increased blood vessels and inflammation, indicate a highly biocompatible and resorbable material, which could potentially revolutionize regenerative therapy.