Technical Journal, Vol. 18 No. 2, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31803/tg-20230912143145
Influence of Hydroxyapatite Content on Physical and Rheological Properties of Chitosan-based Scaffold
Luka Dornjak
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Trg Marka Marulića 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Fabio Faraguna
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Trg Marka Marulića 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Anamarija Rogina
orcid.org/0000-0003-3967-331X
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Trg Marka Marulića 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Chitosan-based scaffolds offer significant potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Whilst exhibiting great bio-regenerative and biocompatible properties, their mechanical properties remain quite poor. The presented research is focused on the modification of macroporous chitosan scaffolds with various amounts of bioactive ceramics (hydroxyapatite) and its influence on the physical and rheological properties of the composite scaffold. Chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds with a highly porous microstructure have been prepared by suspending hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles into the chitosan matrix. According to SEM imaging, homogeneous dispersion of the inorganic phase in a chemically-crosslinked chitosan matrix had been achieved. The obtained composite scaffolds exhibited lower swelling capacity with respect to pure chitosan after 24 h of incubation in Hanks’ balanced salt solution. Rheological measurements show an increase in storage and loss modulus indicating an improvement in mechanical properties under shear stress. Furthermore, no significant change in loss factor (tanδ) was observed indicating no change in composite viscoelastic properties with an increase in HAp content.
Keywords
chitosan; hydroxyapatite; scaffold; rheological properties
Hrčak ID:
316903
URI
Publication date:
31.5.2024.
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