Preparation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/nano-hydroxyapatite (PHB/nHA) composite scaffolds were fabricated via powder mixing, compression moulding, and particle leaching technique. The scaffolds had high porosity with interconnected porous architecture, a favorable structure for cell attachment and new bone tissue ingrowth. A homogeneous dispersion and a uniform distribution of HA nanoparticles in the polymer matrix were obtained. The scaffolds exhibited improved compressive modulus and compressive strength, which were all in the range of compressive modulus and compressive strength of cancellous bone. In addition, the use of toxic organic solvents was eliminated. Thus, the fabricated PHB/nHA composite scaffolds tend to be promising for application in bone tissue engineering. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.