Preparation and Properties of Modified Hydroxyapatite/Polycaprolacton Composite Scaffolds

In this paper, ultrafine particles of crystalline hydroxyapatite were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment at 180C, and the surface of hydroxyapatite particles was modified by hexametaphosphate for the excellent dispersion properties of HA in the scaffolds. The phase separation was used to fabricate the scaffolds of polycaprolacton/chitosan and hydroxyapatite/polycaprolacton-chitosan. The effects of hexametaphosphate on the porosity, the hydrophlilic properties, the morphology, the structure, the biological activity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were studied. The results showed that the modified scaffolds had high porosity, good hydrophility and the excellent dispersity of HA particles on the modified scaffolds, the interfacial bonding strength of HA and the hydrophobic PCL was improved. The artificial bone scaffolds with good mechanical properties could be prepared through controlling the content of modified HA or PCL in the composites.