Pickering high internal phase emulsion-based hydroxyapatite-poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocomposite scaffolds
Yang Hu1, Huichang Gao, Zhengshan Du
1Research Institute of Materials Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China. zhywang@scut.edu.cn.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
We developed novel nanocomposite (NC) scaffolds using modified hydroxyapatite (g-HAp) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) for bone tissue engineering. These biocompatible scaffolds exhibit enhanced mechanical properties and support cell growth, showing great potential for bone regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Advanced scaffolds are crucial for bone tissue engineering, requiring biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity.
- Nanocomposite (NC) materials offer tailored properties for regenerative medicine applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile method for fabricating poly(l-lactic acid)-modified hydroxyapatite (g-HAp)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) NC porous scaffolds.
- To evaluate the structural, mechanical, bioactive, and cellular properties of these novel scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of NC porous scaffolds using a water-in-dichloromethane Pickering high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating method.
- Characterization of scaffold porosity, mechanical strength, in vitro biomineralization, drug release (ibuprofen), and cell culture (mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells).
Main Results:
- The g-HAp-PCL NC scaffolds exhibited interconnected, tunable porous structures.
- Increased g-HAp concentration significantly enhanced mechanical properties (Young's modulus, compressive stress) and bioactivity.
- Sustained ibuprofen release and excellent biocompatibility with mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells were observed.
Conclusions:
- The fabricated g-HAp-PCL NC porous scaffolds demonstrate promising potential for bone tissue engineering due to their tunable structure, enhanced mechanical properties, bioactivity, and biocompatibility.
- This facile fabrication method offers a viable route for developing advanced bone regenerative materials.
