Porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds for orthopedic and dental applications - the role of binders

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) are predominantly attractive resources for orthopedics and dentistry since they closely resembles the inorganic component of human teeth and bone and have proved to be biologically compatible. The HAp with porous structures are bio- resorbable and extent stronger bonding to the bone,besides these pores endow an increased mechanical interconnection leading to a firm fixation of implant to bone. The porosity and mechanical properties of HAp scaffolds can be tailor made for required application by changing the binders. In present work, hydroxyapatite powder has been prepared via Hydrothermal technique using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate [Ca(NO3)24H 2O] and potassium dihydrogen phosphate [(NH4)2HPO4] as precursors for calcium and phosphorous respectively. Porous scaffold was prepared by novel and simple sponge technique using Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose and starch as binders. Thus prepared scaffolds were characterized by FESEM, XRD and FTIR .The surface morphology, porosity, apparent density and load bearing capacity of the scaffolds were studied.