Fabrication of mechanically robust bilayer membranes of hydroxyapatite/collagen composites

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen (Col) composites have been investigated as bilayer membranes for the application of guided bone regeneration. This study investigated the fabrication of HAp/Col bilayer membranes with different weight ratios based on the sequential or simultaneous Col self-assembly, and ethanol-exchanged methods. The membranes exhibited HAp embedded in Col fibrils. The sequen-tially self-assembled membranes showed distinct HAp/Col layers interconnected by interfaces consisting of elongated collagen fibrils. In contrast, the simultaneously self-assembled membrane had a continuous interface. The bilayer membranes had a tensile strength in the range of 8-50 MPa, depending on the HAp/ Col ratio. The combination of sequential self-assembly and ethanol-exchanged methods is successful in fabricating HAp/Col bilayer membranes with distinct layer-by-layer structures and robust mechanical properties. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen (Col) composites have been successfully fabricated as bilayer membranes with distinct layer-by-layer structures and robust mechanical properties using a combination of sequential self-assembly and ethanol-exchanged methods. The membranes exhibited HAp embedded in Col fibrils, with sequentially self-assembled membranes showing distinct HAp/Col layers and simultaneously self-assembled membrane having a continuous interface.