Preparation and characterization of biocomposites based on chitosan and biomimetic hydroxyapatite derived from natural phosphate rocks

Highly porous chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/HA) biocomposite scaffolds were prepared using the freeze-gelation method. A starting biomimetic HA powder was synthesized by a wet precipitation method an abundant natural phosphate (NP) ore as raw material. Then, CS/HA with different weight ratios (100/0; 90/10; 80/20; 70/30) have been prepared. The used powders and characterized XRF, ICP-MS, FTIR, TG-DSC, XRD, SEM, cell viability. results showed that precipitated mainly composed of amorphous calcium (ACP) some traces Mg 2+ , SiO 4 2− Sr Na + Fe ions which usually found in such mineral NP precursors. heat treatment at more than 750 °C leads to formation Mg-substituted β -tricalcium ( -TCMP). Moreover, culture human embryonic kidney cells indicated non-cytotoxicity as-prepared powder. On other hand, elaborated exhibited highly structure well-interconnected pores homogeneously dispersed particles. measurement swelling capacity under physiological conditions revealed addition CS matrix effectively decreased percentage. obtained suggest composites may effective potential biocompatible scaffolding materials for bone tissue engineering. • Biomimetic hydroxyapatite from rocks via dissolution-precipitation Hydroxyapatite has shown no toxicity good response apatite mineralization after 28 days immersion SBF. substituted β-tricalcium investigated XRD Rietveld refinement analysis. technique. well interconnected varying content.