Fabrication of poly (vinyl alcohol)/ovalbumin/cellulose nanocrystals/nanohydroxyapatite based biocomposite scaffolds

Biocomposite scaffolds composed of PVA, ovalbumin, cellulose nanocrystals, and nanohydroxyapatite were fabricated by freeze-drying method. The results revealed that the different fractions of nanohydroxyapatite and cellulose nanocrystals provide the mechanical strength and stiffness to the desired biocomposite scaffolds. In vitro biomineralization showed the formation of apatite onto the surface of obtained biocomposite scaffolds and increased as amount of nanohydroxyapatite increased. The obtained results suggest that the different combinations of these four biomaterials can be used to fabricate highly porous scaffolds with desired mechanical performance and degradation rate by adjusting ratio for potential use in low load-bearing applications.