The study presents the results of the study on porous composite biomaterials obtained using lyophilization method based on polymer solutions: chitosan solution, sodium alginate solution, or polylactide solution, and ZnO‐doped bioglass from CaO‐SiO2‐P2O5 system. The properties of zinc ions were used, which have bactericidal, immune‐stimulating, and tissue‐regenerating functions in the organism. The effects of the polymer type, granulation, and bioglass amount, as well as the amount of solvent on composite microstructure, were studied. SEM‐EDS technique was used to visualize and describe the surface results occurring after incubation of composite in the Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). The selected method of preparation, used substrates, and the process conditions resulted in porous composites of the open, connected pore structure. It was proved that composite microstructure may be controlled by the appropriately selected amount of bioglass in relation to the polymer and its appropriate grain sizes. The morphology of the obtained composites is also affected by the amount of the solvent in lyophilizated dispersions. It was proved that bioactivity in composite material is induced by bioglass because after SBF incubation the surface layer is enriched with Ca and P, what may lead to a gradual formation of apatite layer. The obtained results enabled selection of the composites for further in vitro studies concerning cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity.

The present work shows the results of the synthesis of multiphasic calcium phosphate whiskers from a mixture of biphasic calcium phosphate (β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and calcium pyrophosphate (CPP)) in the hydrogen peroxide solution-mediated process carried out in different time ranges. The process was performed at considerably lower temperature than typical hydrothermal methods used for obtaining of whiskers. Test results show that using the above-mentioned procedure triphasic calcium phosphate consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA), (β-TCP) and CPP can be obtained, where the whiskers are formed mainly from hydroxyapatite. It was found that morphology, phase composition and specific surface area of the reaction product can be controlled by changing the reaction time. The obtained triphasic HA/β-TCP/CPP short whiskers may be considered as a promising biocompatible and resorbable reinforcement in composites for bone tissue engineering with a faster resorption rate than that of HA.

In this research, we describe the properties of three-component composite foam scaffolds based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as a matrix and hydroxyapatite whiskers (HAP) and L-Lysine as fillers (PCL/HAP/Lys with wt% ratio 50/48/2). The scaffolds were prepared using a thermally induced phase separation technique supported by salt leaching (TIPS-SL). All materials were precisely characterized: porosity, density, water uptake, wettability, DSC, and TGA measurements and compression tests were carried out. The microstructure of the obtained scaffolds was analyzed via SEM. It was found that the PCL/HAP/Lys scaffold has a 45% higher Young’s modulus and better wettability compared to the PCL/HAP system. At the same time, the porosity of the system was ~90%. The osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell response was also investigated in osteogenic conditions (39 °C) and the cytokine release profile of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was determined. Modification of PCL scaffolds with HAP and L-Lysine significantly improved the proliferation of pre-osteoblasts cultured on such materials.

Synthetic implants are used to treat large bone defects that are often unable to regenerate, for example those caused by osteoporosis. It is necessary that the materials used to manufacture them are biocompatible and resorbable. Polymer-ceramic composites, such as those based on poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and calcium phosphate ceramics (Ca-P), are often used for these purposes. In this study, we attempted to investigate an innovative strategy for two-step (dual) modification of composites and their components to improve the compatibility of composite components and the adhesion between PLA and Ca-P whiskers, and to increase the mechanical strength of the composite, as well as improve osteological bioactivity and prevent bone resorption in composites intended for bone regeneration. In the first step, Ca-P whiskers were modified with a saturated fatty acid namely, lauric acid (LA), or a silane coupling agent γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Then, the composite, characterized by the best mechanical properties, was modified in the second stage of the work with an active chemical compound used in medicine as a first-line drug in osteoporosis—sodium alendronate, belonging to the group of bisphosphonates (BP). As a result of the research covered in this work, the composite modified with APTES and alendronate was found to be a promising candidate for future biomedical engineering applications.