IN VITRO BIOACTIVITY OF HAP/TIO, SCAFFOLDS FABRICATED BY COMBINATION OF THE GEL-CASTING AND POLYMER SPONGE METHODS

The present study refers to the preparation of hydroxyapatiteftitania nanocomposite porous scaffolds which be used as matrices for bone regeneration. Porous hydroxyapatite/titania scaffolds were fabricated by a new technique of combining the gel-casting and polymer sponge methods. In this technique, we were able to produce scaffolds with mechanical and bioactivity properties that cannot be attained by either hydroxyapatite or titania matter. The characteristics of the nanocomposite scaffolds were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, compressive mechanical and In vitro testing techniques. The pores were shown to be open and interconnected with dimensions in the range 200-400 p.m. Main crystal phases of the composite scaffolds were found to be hydroxyapatite, TiO, (rutile), o, and B three calcium phosphate and titanat calcium (CaTiO3). As the initial titania content was increased from 10 to 20 wt.%, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds remarkably decreased. The bioactivity of the Hydroxyapatite/titania scaffolds was evaluated by immersing porous biocomposites in the simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 and 14 days and the results indicated that the bioactivity of the nanocomposite scaffolds increased by increasing TiO, proportion in HAp/TiO2 scaffolds.

Keywords:

Hydroxyapatite , Titania , Scaffold , Mechanical properties , In vitro