MOF Functionalized Polycaprolactone—Polyvinyl Alcohol Bilayer Electrospun Scaffold for Biomedical Application

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the metal–organic framework (MOF) functionalization of a porous polycaprolactone (PCL) fibrous network and its influence on cell attachment and proliferation. The network was fabricated via electrospinning, then modified through dip‐coating with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by coating with a MOF (MOF UiO‐66‐NH 2 ) and Cephalexin (CEX). The BET analysis confirms the microporous structure of the functionalized scaffold. The PVA‐coated scaffold showed a lower contact angle, which was further increased following MOF coating. The MOF‐coated composite showed a minor decrease in tensile strength after water treatment (~18%) compared to the PVA coating (~25%), demonstrating the water stability of the scaffold. Antibacterial studies showed the effectiveness of MOF, which was further enhanced by the encapsulation of CEX ~62%. The dual‐functionalized scaffold effectively targets S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. Multiple antibacterial mechanisms were observed against E. coli , showing the scaffold's effectiveness against antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. SEM analysis revealed a significant increase in L929 cell growth on the scaffold within 24 h, indicating no cytotoxic effects. The rounded‐to‐spindle‐shaped cells on the functionalized bi‐layer scaffolds indicate the strong potential for faster wound healing compared to the PCL scaffold. The microporous structure with a large surface area can also enhance cell proliferation.