Poly(vinyl alcohol)–hydroxyapatite biomimetic scaffold for tissue regeneration

Hydroxyapatite–poly(vinyl alcohol) composite blocks were produced by freeze–thawing in situ synthesized hybrid suspension. Matrix mediated precipitation of hydroxyapatite particles in the polymer, controlled the particle size in nanometer range (< 100 nm) and hydrogelation induced an ordered three-dimensional assembly of the particles. Morphological and crystallographic characterization revealed the formation of a macro-porous hydroxyapatite–poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite block. Initial results indicate compositional dependence of modulus of elasticity of the composite.