Preparation and Characterization of Porous Nano-dHA/PLA/BCP Scaffold: Preparation and Characterization of Porous Nano-dHA/PLA/BCP Scaffold

To improve the hydrophilicity and to avoid sharp pH decrease during the degradation of polylactic acid/biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (PLA/BCP) scaffold in solution, nano calcium deficient hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid/biphasic calcium phosphate (nano-dHA/PLA/BCP) scaffold was prepared by immersing as-sintered porous BCP scaffold in nano-dHA/PLA mixed solution followed by vacuum drying. The compressive strength of samples was measured by universal test machine. The porosity percentage of samples was investigated by Archimedes method. The surfaces of samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The water-retention rate and pH value change of the samples incubating in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) were also studied. The results show that the compressive strength and water-retention rate of the nano-dHA/PLA/BCP scaffold with rougher surface are improved. The pH decrease rate of nano-dHA/PLA/BCP scaffold is slower than that of PLA/BCP scaffolds incubating in PBS, and the surfaces have more bone-like apatite formation when incubating in simulated body fluid (SBF).