Preparation and characterization of collagen/chitosan poly (ethylene glycol)/nanohydroxyapatite composite scaffolds

Porous three-dimensional collagen/chitosan scaffolds combined with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydroxyapatite were obtained through a freeze-drying method. Physical cross-linking was examined by dehydrothermal treatment. The prepared materials were characterized by different analyses, eg, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), measurements of porosity and swelling, mechanical properties, and resistance to enzymatic degradation. The porosity of scaffolds and their swelling ratio decreased with the addition of hydroxyapatite. Moreover, after exposure to collagenase, the collagen/chitosan matrices containing PEG showed much faster degradation rate than matrices with the addition of hydroxyapatite. The results indicated that the addition of hydroxyapatite led to improvement of stiffness. The highest degree of porosity and swelling were demonstrated by collagen/chitosan/PEG matrices without hydroxyapatite.