Preparation and properties of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose composite scaffold

Carboxymethyl cellulose was first incorporated into nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan to obtain a novel composite of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose (n-HA/CS/CMC) as a three-dimensional scaffolds by freeze-drying. The surface morphology and properties of the scaffold were investigated by infrared absorption spectra (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), mechanical testing and soaking in simulated body fluids (SBF) soaking. The results showed that strong chemical interactions were formed between the three phases. Moreover, the n-HA/CS/CMC composite scaffold with 30 wt% CMC had the most ideal porous structure with a pore size ranging from 100 to 500 μm and a porosity 77.8%, and the highest compressive strength of 3.54 MPa. In addition, the SBF soaking experiment showed the scaffold of 30 wt% CMC had an acceptable degradation rate and good bioactivity in vitro. All the results suggest that n-HA/CS/CMC composite scaffolds have potential as bone tissue engineering materials.