Hardystonite-diopside nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

A bioactive hardystonite (HT) - diopside (Dio) Nano-composite scaffold was fabricated by the space holder method. The structure, morphology and bioactivity potential of the Nano-composite scaffolds were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The scaffold with optimized mechanical properties was HT-15 wt%Dio that had a total, interconnected porosity, micro and macro pore size of 77 +/- 1%, 71 +/- 1%, 40-80 mu m and 400-500 mu m, respectively, and a compressive modulus and strength and crystallite size of 45.45 MPa, 1.655 MPa and 41 nm, respectively. The feasibility of the produced scaffold for bone tissue engineering application was evaluated using simulated body fluid (SBF). A range of characterization techniques was applied to confirm the deposition of Hydroxyl carbonated apatite (HCA) deposition on the surface of HT-15%Dio scaffold following 7 days in SBF. Overall, results suggest that HT-15 wt%Dio Nano-composite scaffold with improved mechanical properties, pore size, porosity content and apatite formation ability can be a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.