Fabrication of bioactive composite by developing PLLA onto the framework of sintered HA scaffold

Composite porous scaffolds of hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly-l-lactide (PLLA) were fabricated by a two-step immersing replication method. Structure and mechanical properties of both the single HA scaffold and the composite HA/PLLA scaffold were determined. The bioactivity of the scaffolds was evaluated by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF), and the formation of the apatite layer was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that without changing the highly interconnected porous structure, the HA/PLLA composite scaffold was mechanically enhanced to a great deal of extent compared with single HA scaffold. On the other hand, it is also suggested that the HA/PLLA scaffold was bioactive as it induced the formation of apatite on the surface of the composite scaffolds after soaking in SBF for 7 days.