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Published on: October 17, 2016
Melt-based compression-molded scaffolds from chitosan-polyester blends and composites: Morphology and mechanical
V M Correlo1, L F Boesel, E Pinho
1Department of Polymer Engineering, 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal. vitorcorrelo@dep.uminho.pt
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|November 6, 2008
Summary
This study developed porous chitosan-polyester scaffolds with tunable structures for potential bone regeneration. While hydroxyapatite addition and smaller salt particle sizes reduced mechanical strength, the scaffolds showed good cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Chitosan and synthetic polyesters are promising biomaterials for tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Hydroxyapatite enhances osteoconduction, crucial for bone regeneration.
- Controlling scaffold porosity and morphology is key to mimicking native tissue architecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create porous chitosan-polyester scaffolds with varying morphologies and mechanical properties.
- To investigate the influence of salt particle size, salt content, and hydroxyapatite on scaffold characteristics.
- To evaluate the cytotoxicity of the developed scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Blending chitosan with synthetic polyesters (PBS, PBSA, PCL, PBTA).
- Compounding with and without hydroxyapatite using salt templating with varying salt sizes and content.
- Characterization using SEM, micro-CT, compression testing, DSC, SAXS, and WAXS.
- Cytotoxicity assessment via MTS assay on L929 cells.
Main Results:
- Scaffold morphology varied with salt particle size and content, affecting pore structure and interconnectivity.
- Higher porosity generally led to less organized but more interconnected pores.
- Mechanical properties decreased with smaller salt particle sizes and with hydroxyapatite addition.
- Increased chitosan content lowered melting temperature; no preferential crystalline orientation was observed.
- Scaffolds exhibited non-cytotoxic behavior in MTS tests.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan-polyester-hydroxyapatite composites can be fabricated into porous scaffolds with controllable morphology.
- Mechanical properties are significantly influenced by porosity and composition.
- The developed scaffolds demonstrate good biocompatibility, suggesting potential for bone tissue engineering applications.
