Nanofibrillated chitosan coated highly ordered titania nanotubes array/graphene nanocomposite with improved biological characters

Abstract Designing multifunctional surfaces is key to develop advanced materials for orthopedic applications. In this study, we designed a double-layer coating, assembled onto the completely regular titania nanotubes (cRTNT) array. Benefiting from the biological and topological characteristics of chitosan nanofibers (CH) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) through a unique assembly, the designed material features promoted osteoblast cell proliferation, prolonged antibiotic release profile, as well as inhibited bacterial biofilm formation. Herein, we report on the synergistic effect of RGO and CH on the biological performance of the surface. The unique morphology of the nanofibers leads to the partial coverage of RGO-modified nanotubes, providing an opportunity to access the sublayer properties. Another merit of this coating lies in its morphological similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM) to boost cellular performance. According to the results of this study, this platform holds promising advantages over the bare and bulk biopolymer-modified TNTs.