Journal
CELLULOSE
Volume 21, Issue 5, Pages 3409-3426Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10570-014-0339-7
Keywords
Biocomposite scaffolds; Simulated body fluid; Cellulose nanocrystals; Polyvinyl alcohol; Freeze drying; Nano-hydroxyapatite
Funding
- Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), New Delhi
Ask authors/readers for more resources
In this study, in situ synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) organic-inorganic biocomposite porous scaffolds is reported. The effect of the CNC content on the properties of the biocomposite scaffold was investigated and characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, porosity and compressive strength measurements, thermal studies, and in vitro biomineralization and degradation studies. The morphological study showed highly porous structures with good pore interconnectivity in which n-HA was homogeneously dispersed. XRD analysis showed a decrease in the crystalline fraction and crystallite size of nano-hydroxyapatite with introduction of PVA and with increasing content of CNC. It was observed that the porosity decreased to some extent with increasing CNC content, while increases in the compressive strength (from 0.85 to 2.09 MPa) and elastic modulus (from 4.68 to 16.01 MPa) were found as the CNC content was increased. In vitro biomineralization study revealed the formation of apatite on PVA/n-HA/CNC biocomposite scaffolds when soaked for 7 and 14 days in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. The obtained porous scaffolds offering good mechanical performance may provide a promising alternative scaffolding matrix for use in the field of bone tissue engineering.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available