Novel scaffolds based on hydroxyapatite/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite coated porous TiO2 ceramics for bone tissue engineering

The work is focused on the preparation of novel tissue engineering scaffolds with suitable initial mechanical properties and favorable microstructure based on biodegradable polymer/inorganic nanocomposite and porous ceramic. Macroporous TiO2 scaffolds with pore sizes ranging from 100 to 500 mu m were obtained by the polyurethane foam replication method. Uniform, a few micrometers thin coating composed of hydroxyapatite synthesized in presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) were obtained on the porous TiO2 scaffolds through vacuum-assisted impregnation method while the original macroporosity and open pore structure of the TiO2 scaffolds were maintained. The mechanical strength as well as degradation and in vitro bioactivity of the scaffolds were characterized. The results showed that combination of hydroxyapatite/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite coatings and porous TiO2 ceramic leads to composite material with improved mechanical properties by achieving the initial mechanical strength up to 0.99 +/- 0.19 MPa and enhanced in vitro bioactivity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.