Hydroxyapatite/sericin composite film prepared through mineralization of flexible ethanol-treated sericin film with simulated body fluids

A flexible ethanol-treated sericin film was prepared and used to form a hydroxyapatite/sericin composite film by mineralizing it with simulated body fluids solution. The hydroxyapatite mineral deposited on the surface of the ethanol-treated sericin film was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Results indicated that the quantity of deposited minerals increased with increasing mineralization time and showed a thee-dimensional structure. This structure was determined to be calcium-deficient carbonate apatite with poor crystallinity and growth in the direction of the c-axis similar to natural bone mineral. The mechanical properties of the hydroxyapatite/sericin composite film decreased with increasing mineralization time. XTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tests showed that the hydroxyapatite/sericin composite film promoted cell viability, which is beneficial for its application in bone tissue engineering. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.