Porous nanoplate-like hydroxyapatite–sodium alginate nanocomposite scaffolds for potential bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Weak mechanical properties and poor protein adsorption capacity of sodium alginate (SA) limit its use in tissue engineering. In this study, glucosamine-grafted nanoplate-like hydroxyapatite (gHAp)–SA nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated via solution mixture and freeze-drying method. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the gHAp/SA nanocomposites. The porosity, mechanical properties, and preliminary cell behaviour of the gHAp/SA nanocomposites were examined and compared with neat SA. The gHAp/SA nanocomposites show improved mechanical properties and superior cell viability to neat SA. Furthermore, both the mechanical and biological behaviours of the gHAp/SA nanocomposites are related to the content of gHAp. It has been demonstrated that the highly porous and mechanically robust gHAp/SA nanocomposite scaffolds hold promise in tissue engineering applications.