Multifunctional pDA@MXene-enriched silk fibroin/PLLA nanofibrous scaffold with local piezoresponse for neural tissue engineering

Neural tissue engineering requires functional scaffolds that provide structural support while presenting biomimetic physicochemical cues to cells. Incorporating stimulus-responsive functionality into electrospun scaffolds has emerged as a promising strategy for developing next-generation neural tissue engineering platforms. In this study, a polydopamine (pDA)@MXene-enriched silk fibroin/poly(L-lactic acid) (SF/PLLA) electrospun nanofibrous scaffold was developed as a multifunctional platform for neural tissue engineering. Structural and physicochemical characterization verified the formation of Ti3C2 MXene from the Ti3AlC2 MAX precursor, successful pDA functionalization, and effective vacuum-assisted incorporation of pDA@ Ti3C2 MXenes onto the SF/PLLA nanofibrous scaffold. PFM analysis revealed a detectable local electromechanical response, consistent with the piezo-responsive characteristics of the developed scaffold. Moreover, pDA@MXene incorporation enhanced the surface hydrophilicity, as evidenced by the decrease in water contact angle from 73.49 ± 0.73° to 47.38 ± 0.6°. In-vitro experiments showed that the developed scaffold supported PC-12 cell metabolic activity throughout the culture period. SEM observations revealed effective attachment and close cell-nanofiber interactions. Under NGF-treated conditions, following a commonly used 7-day PC12 differentiation period, βIII-tubulin-positive cells with neuron-like morphological features were observed on the pDA@MXene-enriched scaffold, supporting its compatibility with NGF-induced neuronal-like phenotypic development. Collectively, the pDA@MXene-enriched scaffold exhibited enhanced surface hydrophilicity, favorable mechanical properties, local electromechanical responsiveness, and cytocompatibility, supporting its potential as a multifunctonal platform for further investigation in neural tissue engineering.