Centrifugally spun mats based on biopolyesters/hydroxyapatite and their potential as bone scaffolds

This work studied the potential of centrifugal spinning for the production of fibrous materials based on poly(D,L‐lactic acid) (PDLLA) and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n‐Hap). The influence of n‐Hap concentration (5, 10, and 15 wt.%) and spinneret angular speed on the final fiber morphology were analyzed. Further experimental evaluations were implemented to determine the effect of n‐Hap on the thermal and mechanical performance. The optimum parameters that show a balance among high yield production of homogeneous fibers with the smallest fiber average diameter were found to be at 5 wt.% of n‐Hap processed at 7000 rpm for PDLLA, and 5, 10, and 15 wt.% of n‐Hap at 6000 rpm for PHB. The thermal stability, for both systems, was not significantly affected. The mechanical performance of PHB systems was improved with the addition of n‐Hap. Osteoblast cell viability tests depicted a favorable cell response on the PDLLA systems.