Effect of in situ formed hydroxyapatite on microstructure of freeze-gelled chitosan-based biocomposite scaffolds

• New in situ chitosan/HA scaffolds with interconnected porosity have been prepared.
• High porosity of chitosan/HA scaffolds has been obtained by freeze-gelation.
• Microstructure of highly-porous scaffolds depends on hydroxyapatite content.
• Scaffolds are non-cytotoxic and show good potential as a bone tissue implants.

New in situ highly-porous chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/HA) biocomposite scaffolds have been prepared via freeze-gelation technique. Different content of in situ synthesized hydroxyapatite within chitosan solution was obtained by changing the amount of calcium and phosphate precursors. The composition of precipitated inorganic phase was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while morphology of scaffolds was imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM observations of cross section and surface area of prepared scaffolds have shown different microstructure and topography regarding to the HA content, which plays an important role in cell adhesion and proliferation, and nutrient transport. The MTT assay of scaffolds with different content of hydroxyapatite has shown no toxicity which is one of the main requirements for potential biomedical application. Likewise, the presented synthesis allows preparing the scaffolds with large and very well interconnected pores without obtaining toxic intermediate products.

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