Porous poly(L-lactic acid)/apatite composites created by biomimetic process

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable polymer often used in tissue engineering.
• Apatite coatings can enhance the bioactivity and bone-bonding capabilities of biomaterials.
• Developing effective scaffolds for bone regeneration remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop highly porous poly(L-lactic acid)/apatite composite scaffolds.
• To investigate the in situ formation of carbonated apatite on PLLA foams.
• To evaluate the potential of these composites as scaffolding materials for bone tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of highly porous PLLA foams (up to 95% porosity) via solid-liquid phase separation and solvent sublimation.
• Immersion of PLLA foams in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37°C for in situ apatite formation.
• Characterization of the resulting microparticles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD).

Main Results:

• Successful in situ formation of carbonated bonelike apatite microparticles on the surfaces of PLLA foam pore walls.
• Characterization confirmed the microparticles were assemblies of microflakes, identified as carbonated apatite.
• Composite foams with varying apatite particle sizes and concentrations were produced by adjusting incubation times and conditions.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated porous PLLA/apatite composites exhibit promising bone-bonding properties.
• These materials are suitable for bone tissue engineering and regeneration applications.
• The apatite coating provides a favorable environment for osteoblast and osteoprogenitor cell attachment and growth.