Biomimetic growth of hydroxyapatite on phosphorylated electrospun cellulose nanofibers

► Electrospun cellulose nanofiber/hydroxyapatite composites were synthesized. ► Phosphorylated cellulose nanofibers were highly bioactive in inducing the HAp growth. ► The composites are porous materials with micro-, meso-pores and pores in micrometer. ► The composites can be potentially useful in the field of bone tissue engineering.