Biomimetic mineralisation of polymeric scaffolds using a combined soaking and Kitano approach

Chitosan hydrogels are of considerable interest in synthetic biomimetic mineralisation strategies due to their favourable characteristics such as the presentation of a large surface area for crystal nucleation within a structured yet responsive scaffold. Chitosan hydrogels were prepared and subsequently calcium carbonate mineralisation was initiated using a method which combines alternate soaking of the films with precursor solutions followed by treatment with Kitano solution. This combined approach allows for increased extent of mineralisation, inducement of mineralisation uniformly throughout the hydrogel rather than only at the peripheral surface and ready scalability and shape manipulation. The base synthetic system is readily modified through the introduction of additives that manipulate the nucleation and growth of the calcium carbonate. Addition of poly(acrylic acid) inhibits nucleation and induces tangential crystal growth along the internal and external interfaces of the hydrogel. The resulting composite is comprised of stacked overlapping plates of calcium carbonate intercalated with carbohydrate. The method is applicable in combination with a variety of hydrogels including macroporous chitosan, chitosan-alginate bilayers and pure alginate hydrogels. The composite materials were analysed by SEM, XRD, microRaman spectroscopy and mechanical strength testing.