Fabrication and characterization of novel diopside/silk fibroin nanocomposite scaffolds for potential application in maxillofacial bone regeneration

Novel freeze-dried porous composite scaffolds were prepared from natural polymer of silk fibroin (SF) as a matrix and from diopside nanoceramic as a bioactive reinforcing agent through a freeze-drying method. Considering the superiority of both diopside and SF in terms of mechanical and biochemical properties (in comparison to similar ceramics and polymers, especially in maxillofacial specific applications), we investigated the effect of diopside nanoparticle contents. Microstructure studies illustrated that the bioactive diopside nanoparticles were distributed throughout the fibroin matrix. Enough porosity, desired surface properties, high mechanical strength and excellent in vitro biocompatibility were achieved during the fabrication of the nanocomposite scaffolds without any extra modifications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.