HA/nylon 6,6 porous scaffolds fabricated by salt-leaching/solvent casting technique: effect of nano-sized filler content on scaffold properties

Abstract

Nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA)/nylon 6,6 composite scaffolds were produced by means of the salt-leaching/solvent casting technique. NaCl with a distinct range size was used with the aim of optimizing the pore network. Composite powders with different n-HA contents (40%, 60%) for scaffold fabrication were synthesized and tested. The composite scaffolds thus obtained were characterized for their microstructure, mechanical stability and strength, and bioactivity. The microstructure of the composite scaffolds possessed a well-developed interconnected porosity with approximate optimal pore size ranging from 200 to 500 μm, ideal for bone regeneration and vascularization. The mechanical properties of the composite scaffolds were evaluated by compressive strength and modulus tests, and the results confirmed their similarity to cortical bone. To characterize bioactivity, the composite scaffolds were immersed in simulated body fluid for different lengths of time and results monitored by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis to determine formation of an apatite layer on the scaffold surface.

Synthesis of polyamide 6/nano-hydroxyapatite hybrid (PA6/n-HAp) for the sorption of rare earth elements and uranium

“…The melt compounding of PA6 and n-HAp leads to XRD patterns that logically combine the contributions of the two compounds. As reported by Mehrabian and Nasr-Esfahani [75], the XRD pattern of the composite shows the superposition of the two patterns; slight shifts in the 2θ positions are observed (see Table in Fig. S5); this is probably due to the intercalation of PA6 in the planes of n-HAp.…”

Recent advances in bioprinting techniques: approaches, applications and future prospects

“…Bone and cartilage regeneration is the most mature field utilizing printing technology because the composition of hard tissues is uncomplicated and is mainly composed of inorganic elements. A variety of biomaterials have been produced to construct bone and cartilage scaffolds by many manufacturing approaches, including gas foaming [ 84 , 85 ], salt leaching [ 86 , 87 ] and freeze drying [ 88 , 89 ]. However, the structural and mechanical properties of artificial scaffolds can be more accurately controlled by 3D bioprinting than by other technologies.…”

Biomimetic Strategies for Bone Repair and Regeneration

“…For this reason, the further integration of biodegradable PLA fibers into the PCL matrix allows improving the mechanical response of the scaffolds, providing spaces required for cellular ingrowth and matrix production. The addition of bioactive apatite-like particles generating needle-like crystals of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite similar to natural bone apatite also interact with the fiber-reinforced polymer matrix, further enhancing the mechanical response in compression by up to an order of magnitude [48]. …”