Sugar-mediated chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol)-beta-dicalcium pyrophosphate composite: mechanical and microstructural...

The microstructural and mechanical properties of sugar-mediated chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol)-based scaffolds and composites, which are composed of beta-dicalcium pyrophosphate (beta-DCP) and sugar-mediated scaffolds, were investigated. All of the scaffolds were prepared by various freeze-drying protocols. The differences in the freeze-drying process of the sugar-mediated chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) scaffold for three types of sugar (sucrose, glucose, and D-fructose) were determined by scanning electron microscopic observation, water retention, density, and porosity analyses. The sugar-mediated scaffolds prepared by scheme I of the freeze-drying process show large pores, poorly connective interlayers, and disintegrated inner structures, different from the small pores and well-connective channel structures as shown in the scheme II freeze-drying process. The key factors for controlling pore structure and size in the scheme I freeze-drying process were formulation and composition, but for the scheme II freeze-drying process, the key factor was freeze protocol. The composite scaffolds were macroporous, and the microstructure changed considerably with added beta-DCP content. The incorporation of beta-DCP granules caused a significant enhancement of compressive modulus and yield strength. The increased mechanical strength may be attributable not only to the physical complexation between the sugar-mediated scaffold and beta-DCP, but also the chemical reaction to apatite formed on the cell wall.