Effect of TiO2 morphology on in vitro bioactivity of polycaprolactone/TiO2 nanocomposites

TiO2 nanostructures with different morphologies (spherical, tube, leaf-like and flower-like particles) were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process. Polycaprolactone (PCL)/10 vol.% TiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting methods. In vitro bioactivity of the nanocomposite films was examined by immersion in the simulated body fluid (SBF) for up to 28 days. It was found that the morphology of titania nanostructures significantly influence the in vitro bioactivity of PCL/TiO2 nanocomposites. This observation was attributed to the amount of anatase phase and the specific surface area of the TiO2 nanostructures, which provide high surface exposure to SBF.