Controllable synthesis and characterization of porous polyvinyl alcohol/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds via an in situ colloidal technique

During the last decades, there have been several attempts to combine bioactive materials with biocompatible and biodegradable polymers to create nanocomposite scaffolds with excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, biodegradability and mechanical properties. In this research, the nanocomposite scaffolds with compositions based on PVA and HAp nanoparticles were successfully prepared using colloidal HAp nanoparticles combined with freeze-drying technique for tissue engineering applications. In addition, the effect of the pH value of the reactive solution and different percentages of PVA and HAP on the synthesis of PVA/HAp nanocomposites were investigated. The SEM observations revealed that the prepared scaffolds were porous with three dimensional microstructures, and in vitro experiments with osteoblast cells indicated an appropriate penetration of the cells into the scaffold's pores, and also the continuous increase in cell aggregation on the scaffolds with increase in the incubation time demonstrated the ability of the scaffolds to support cell growth. According to the obtained results, the nanocomposite scaffolds could be considered as highly bioactive and potential bone tissue engineering implants. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.