Potential Use of Electrospun Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Carbon Nanotubes Containing Aspirin in Vascular Tissue Engineering Application

In the field of vascular tissue engineering, the incorporation of anticoagulant drugs into polymeric nanofibers is a key strategy to enhance performance and prevent thrombosis. This study focuses on preparation of electro-spun poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanofibers containing aspirin (Asp) as potential vascular substitutes. Various tests, including SEM, FTIR, tensile strength, electrical conductivity, water contact angle, UV–visible, hemo-compatibility, and cell culture assessments, are conducted. The SEM images show an average diameter of approximately 166 nm with a smooth surface for PET/MWCNT nanofibers with 10 wt.% PET and 1 wt.% MWCNT. The FTIR results indicate the presence of MWCNT in the nanofibers, with no significant chemical interaction. The electrical conductivity and WCA are measured at 4.08 × 10–10 S/cm and 120°, respectively. The tensile test reveals an increase in Young’s modulus from 14.6 to 36.6 MPa after MWCNT addition. The inclusion of MWCNT results in an increase of Asp release up to 37%, following the Higuchi model. PET/MWCNT nanofibers reduce platelet adhesion and extend PTT time (up to 40 s) as well as remain hemolysis below 5% compared to PET. This work underscores the potential of electro-spun PET/MWCNT nanofibers with Asp for vascular substitutes.