Preliminary studies of PVA/PVP blends incorporated with HAp and β-TCP bone ceramic as template for hard tissue engineering

Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blend incorporated with hydroxyapatite (HAp) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) is electrospun as nanofibrous composite scaffolds to act as suitable template for bone tissue engineering. Microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations confirm uniform integration of the crystalline calcium phosphate ceramics in the scaffolds. PVA-PVP blends are usually amorphous in nature and addition of phosphate ceramic particles specifically HAp elevates its crystalline behavior which is substantiated by XRD details. Further incorporation of ceramics is confirmed using FT-IR as characteristic PO43- groups for HAp and beta-TCP were observed in the distinguished composites. Single glass transition temperature is observed for pure and composite blends indicating the formation of highly miscible blends. Also, addition of these ceramics augments the thermal stability of the blend scaffolds. Biocompatibility of the prepared (PVA: PVP)-HAp and (PVA: PVP)-TCP scaffolds is assessed using MG-63 Osteoblast cell lines in the time interval of 1st, 4th and 7th day. The cell viability percentage for (PVA: PVP)-HAp is high compared to beta-TCP added blend composites, reinforcing the fact that scaffolds with good mechanical strength and enhanced porosity supports better cell adhesion.