OICC Press Progress in Biomaterials 2194-0517 15 1 2026 03 31 Engineering Biocompatible and Bioactive Poly (glycerol sebacate)-Based Scaffolds Reinforced with Polypyrrole-Functionalized Nanocellulose for Neural Tissue Regeneration 10.57647/pibm.2026.152606 EN Sayeh Drakhshan Fakhr Department of Biomedical Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Salar Mohammadi Shabestari Department of Polymer, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Arshia Akbari Jafroudi Department of Biomedical Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Narges Dadeshzadeh Department of Biomedical Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Hossin Allahyari Department of Biomedical Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Shahrokh Shojaei Department of Biomedical Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Pedram Tehrani Department of Biomedical Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Vahabodin Goodarzi Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2026 03 31 In this study, biocompatible and mechanically tunable composite scaffolds were developed using poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polypyrrole-functionalized cellulose nanofibers (Ppy-CNFs) for neural tissue engineering. To enhance elasticity and strength, 30 wt.% PCL was incorporated into PGS, while 0.5% and 1% CNFs were introduced to improve conductivity, bioactivity, and structural stability. FTIR confirmed successful HDI crosslinking and chemical compatibility among the components. XRD showed increased crystallinity with PCL and peak broadening with CNFs, indicating nanofiber dispersion. Thermal analysis (TGA/DTG) revealed enhanced stability, with the main degradation peak shifting from 405 °C in pure PGS to 425 °C in PGS/PCL/CNFs composites, accompanied by higher char yield due to PPy shielding effects. Mechanical tests demonstrated marked improvements, with compressive strength increasing from 7.12 MPa to 24.62 MPa and Young’s modulus from 1.83 MPa to 5.76 MPa. Contact angle measurements rose from 62.3° to 73.7°, maintaining favorable hydrophilicity for cell interactions. SEM revealed uniformly porous surfaces and well-dispersed nanofibers. Biological studies confirmed excellent cytocompatibility, with SH-SY5Y cell viability increasing from 84.94% to 91.09%. Enhanced spreading, neurite anchoring, and nuclear integrity were observed, highlighting the multifunctional properties of the optimized scaffold for neural tissue regeneration.