Chapter 8: Bioactive Nanoparticles, Nanofibers, and Polymeric Nanocomposites

Bioactive glasses have been mainly proposed to be used in bone tissue engineering, but recent studies are also showing promising results of their applicability in soft tissue regeneration. The new discoveries in tissue engineering request the development of more sophisticated and efficient biomaterials. Researchers are being inspired by the hierarchical architecture of biological tissues, trying to mimic their nanostructure to develop new devices and materials. This chapter will focus on recent advances in the nanoscale design of bioactive glasses towards the development of bioactive glass nanofibers and nanoparticles. The fabrication technologies are also addressed. Polymeric materials exhibit suitable mechanical and processing capabilities but lack the bioactivity of bioactive glasses. Therefore, the state-of-the-art nanostructured polymeric composites and the recent advances are also considered. Various types of polymeric nanocomposites used in tissue engineering are reviewed regarding the impact of nanoscale bioactive glasses on the mechanical properties, bioactivity and cell behaviour. The future perspectives of nanoscale bioactive glasses for tissue engineering are also discussed.