| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1429086 | Materials Science and Engineering: C | 2013 | 7 Pages |
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the most substantial mineral constituent of a bone which has been extensively used in medicine as implantable materials, owing to its good biocompatibility, bioactivity high osteoconductive, and/or osteoinductive properties. Nevertheless, its mechanical property is not utmost appropriate for a bone substitution. Therefore, a composite consist of HA and a biodegradable polymer is usually prepared to generate an apt bone scaffold. In the present work polycaprolactone (PCL), a newly remarkable biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, was employed as a matrix and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were used as a reinforcement element of the composite. HA/PCL nanocomposites were synthesized by a new in situ sol–gel process using calcium hydroxide and phosphoric acid precursors in the presence of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a solvent. Chemical and physical characteristics of the nanocomposite were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The results indicated that pure HA nanoparticles were well-incorporated and homogenously dispersed in the PCL matrix. It was found that the mechanical property of PCL was improved by addition of 20 wt.% HA nanoparticles. Furthermore, the biological property of nanocomposites was investigated under in vitro condition. For this purpose, HA/PCL scaffolds were prepared through a salt leaching process and immersed in a saturated simulated body fluid (SBF) after 3 and 7 days. It was found that a uniform layer of biomimetic HA could be deposited on the surface of HA/PCL scaffolds. Therefore, the prepared HA/PCL scaffolds showed good potential for bone tissue engineering and could be used for many clinical applications in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery.
Graphical abstractPreparation of HA/PCL nanocomposite and scaffold by an in situ sol–gel process is shown.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone (HA/PCL) nanocomposite was prepared by a new method. ► An in situ sol–gel process was employed. ► HA nanoparticles in the range of 30–70 nm were homogenously dispersed in PCL matrix. ► HA/PCL scaffolds showed good bioactive property in a saturated simulated body fluid.
