Preparation and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite GBR membrane with asymmetric porous structure

In this study, a nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (nHA/PA66) composite with good biocompatibility and high bioactivity is employed to develop novel asymmetric structure porous membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR). FT-IR and XRD analyses suggest that chemical bonds are formed between nHA and PA66 both in composite powders and membranes. The fabricated membranes show gradient porous structure. SEM analysis reveal that pores less than 10 mu m and pores with a size ranging from 30 mu m to 200 mu m distribute in the micropore layer and the spongy structure layer, respectively. The surface energy determination also reveals that the fabricated membranes have asymmetric surface properties on the two sides of the membrane. The incorporation of nHA in PA66 matrix improves the properties of the membrane. The elongation at break and the tensile strength of nHA/PA66-40 suggest that the composite membrane has good strength and toughness. The rough porous structure surface with high surface energy of nHA/PA66 composite membrane may be beneficial to promote cells immobility and differentiation into a mature phenotype producing mineralized matrix. The biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity, asymmetric porous structure, mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the composite membrane can meet the requirement of GBR technique.