Fabrication of 3D calcium phosphates based scaffolds using bacterial cellulose as template

Bacterial cellulose - calcium phosphates composite materials were synthesized by successive immersing of bacterial cellulose membranes prepared in our laboratory in precursor solutions under ultrasonic irradiation, which provides the necessary cations for the formation of calcium phosphate phases at the surface of bacterial cellulose fibers. The subsequent thermal treatment at 700 or 1000 degrees C of the hybrid materials previously described allowed the obtaining of 3D porous scaffolds with different morphologies, as a function of the number of immersing cycles and calcining temperature. All samples exhibit similar phase composition, mainly based on hydroxyapatite and buchwaldite (sodium calcium phosphate). In the case of the composites thermally treated at lower temperature, the microstructure is fluffy and composed of large grains and monocrystalline nanorods, while the masses calcined at higher temperatures have a trabecular appearance, looking like a natural bone. The biological properties of the resulting architectures were also investigated. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.