Chitosan graft copolymers‐HA/DBM biocomposites: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation

Abstract

AbstractThe combination of biopolymer with a bioactive component takes advantage of the osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity properties. The studies on composites containing hydroxyapatite (HA), demineralized bone matrix (DBM) fillers and chitosan biopolymer are still conducted. In the present study, the bioactive fillers were loaded onto p(HEMA‐MMA) grafted chitosan copolymer to produce a novel biocomposites having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. The produced composites were assessed by TGA, XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques to prove the interaction between both matrices. In vitro behavior of these composites was performed in SBF to verify the formation of apatite layer onto their surfaces and its enhancement. The results confirmed the formation of thick apatite layer containing carbonate ions onto the surface of biocomposites especially these containing HA‐DBM mixture and pMMA having bone cement formation in their structure. These a novel biocomposites have unique bioactivity properties can be applied in bone implants and tissue engineering applications as scaffolds in future. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007