Characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds fabricated without the use of organic solvents for bone tissue engineering applications

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/nano-hydroxyapatite (PHB/nHA) composite scaffolds were fabricated without the use of organic solvents at different mass fractions of HA nanoparticles. HA nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed as primary particles in the polymer matrix of the scaffolds at 10 and 15 wt.% nHA content. Agglomeration of HA nanoparticles occurred when the nHA content of the scaffolds reached 20 wt.%. All the scaffolds had high porosities with interconnected porous structure and optimized pore size ranges. Mechanical properties of all the scaffolds were in the range of mechanical properties of cancellous bone. Scaffolds were biocompatible to MG-63 cells in the indirect method of cytotoxicity evaluation. Also, the morphology of the attached MG-63 cells in direct contact with the scaffolds indicated the appropriate cell–scaffold interaction. Thus, the PHB/nHA composite scaffolds investigated in this study tend to be favorable for bone tissue engineering applications.

► PHB/nHA composite scaffolds fabricated at different mass fractions of nHA were characterized in this study.
► HA nanoparticles were dispersed in the polymer matrix of the scaffolds at 10 and 15 wt.% nHA content.
► The scaffolds had interconnected porous architecture with high porosities and optimized pore size range.
► The scaffolds exhibited improved mechanical properties in the range of those of cancellous bone.
► The scaffolds showed in vitro biocompatibility to MG-63 cells.