In situ mineralization of hydroxyapatite on electrospun chitosan-based nanofibrous scaffolds

A biocomposite of hydroxyapatite (HAp) with electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was prepared by using chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) and N-carboxyethyl chitosan/PVA (CECS/PVA) electrospun membranes as organic matrix, and HAp was formed in supersaturated CaCl2 and KH2PO4 solution. The influences of carboxylic acid groups in CECS/PVA fibrous scaffold and polyanionic additive poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in the incubation solution on the crystal distribution of the HAp were investigated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the deposited mineral phase on the scaffolds. It was found that addition of PAA to the mineral solution and use of matrix with carboxylic acid groups promoted mineral growth and distribution of HAp. MTT testing and SEM imaging from mouse fibroblast (L929) cell culture revealed the attachment and growth of mouse fibroblast on the surface of biocomposite scaffold, and that the cell morphology and viability were satisfactory for the composite to be used in bioapplications.     

Fabrication of platy apatite nanocrystals loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles by two-step emulsion method and their photocatalytic activity

Nanometer-sized TiO(2) island structure on the platy hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (HAp) has been accomplished by two-step emulsion process. At the first step, platy HAp nanocrystals, of which size was in the range of 70-200 nm after heat-treatment at 1078 K for 1 h, were prepared using the W/O emulsion system. Before the second step, HAp nanocrystals were immersed in NaH(2)PO(4) solution for the formation of hydroxyl group on their surface. In the following, titanium tetraisopropoxide reacted with the hydroxyl group of HAp surface to form TiO(2) nanoparticles on the surface of HAp nanocrystals, which were dispersed in the micrometer-sized methanol droplets of polyethylene cetylether-cyclohexane mixture (methanol/oil emulsion). The resulting hydroxyapatite nanocrystals loaded with TiO(2) nanoparticles showed the high photocatalytic activity comparing to the commercial TiO(2) catalyst.     

Synthesis of high surface area hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by mixed surfactant-mediated approach

A new surfactant-mediated approach was developed to synthesize hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles with high surface areas by calcination of their precursors encapsulated with calcium stearate using mixed surfactant-containing reaction mixtures. Acidic aqueous solution of calcium phosphate was mixed with both or either nonaoxyethylene dodecyl ether (C12EO9) and polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60) and then was treated with aqueous ammonium at 25 degrees C. The C12EO9-based single surfactant system yielded an aggregate of platy HAp nanoparticles 20-40 nm in size, whereas the Tween 60-based single and mixed systems led to lath-shaped HAp nanoparticles 2-8 nm wide and encapsulated with calcium stearate. On calcination at 500 degrees C, the stearate-encapsulated HAp nanoparticles in the latter two systems were deorganized into high surface area HAp nanoparticles. Particularly, the HAp nanoparticles in the mixed system exhibited a specific surface area as high as 364 m2 g(-1) that is roughly 3 times larger than 160 m2 g(-1) for those in the single system. The significantly high surface area for the former is attributed to much less adhesion of decapsulated HAp nanoparticles, which originated from the particle-separating effect of the C12EO9 molecules adsorbed on the outer surface of the stearate-encapsulated HAp nanoparticles to inhibit their agglomeration or interfacial coordination. The present results demonstrate that the mixed use of two different surfactants as a source of encapsulating and templating agent and a particle-separating agent is specifically effective for the synthesis of high surface area HAp nanoparticles.     

In situ mineralization of hydroxyapatite on poly(vinyl alcohol) monolithic scaffolds for tissue engineering

A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite monolithic scaffold is prepared via thermally impacted non-solvent induced phase separation method, successively followed by an alternate soaking process. The morphology of the resulting composite monolith is observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of hydroxyapatite is confirmed by X-ray diffraction, SEM in combination with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of soaking cycle and soaking time upon the formation of hydroxyapatite on the monolith surface are systematically investigated. With the increase of soaking cycle and soaking time, the amount of the formed hydroxyapatite increases. As the soaking cycle increases, the water uptake of the composite monolith decreases. The PVA/HAp composite monolith greatly has a promising application as scaffold of bone tissue engineering.     

Preparation and applications of a variety of fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomer/hydroxyapatite composites

A variety of fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers were applied to the preparation of fluorinated oligomer/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites (particle size: 38-356 nm), which exhibit a good dispersibility in water and traditional organic solvents. These fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomer/HAp composites were easily prepared by the reactions of disodium hydrogen phosphate and calcium chloride in the presence of self-assembled molecular aggregates formed by fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers in aqueous solutions. In these fluorinated HAp composites thus obtained, fluoroalkyl end-capped acrylic acid oligomers and 2-methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomer/HAp nanocomposites afforded transparent colorless solutions toward water; however, fluoroalkyl end-capped N,N-dimethylacrylamide oligomer and acryloylmorpholine oligomer were found to afford transparent colorless solutions with trace amounts of white-colored HAp precipitants under similar conditions. HAp could be encapsulated more effectively into fluorinated 2-methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomeric aggregate cores to afford colloidal stable fluorinated oligomer/HAp composites, compared to that of fluorinated acrylic acid oligomers. These fluorinated oligomer/HAp composites were applied to the surface modification of glass and PVA to exhibit a good oleophobicity imparted by fluorine. HAp formation was newly observed on the modified polyethylene terephthalate film surface treated with fluorinated 2-methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomers and acrylic acid oligomer/HAp composites by soaking these films into the simulated body fluid.     

Effect of thermal annealing on Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-doped silica powder prepared by the solgel process

A novel sorbent for the removal of heavy metals, hydroxyapatite/poly (vinyl alcohol) cryogel, was studied. The HAp/PVA cryogel was characteristic of macroporous structure. The experiments for Cd²⁺ sorption by HAp/PVA cryogel were conducted at various operating conditions such as sonication, sorption time, Cd²⁺ concentration, temperature, pH, and HAp/PVA mass ratio. It was concluded that the sorption was considerably affected by sorption time, Cd²⁺concentration, temperature and HAp/PVA mass ratio. Nevertheless, there was slight dependence of sorption on sonication and pH. The influences of different parameters were discussed in detail in the paper. The main mechanism was suggested to be ion-exchange.     

Cell adhesive and growth behavior on electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds by designed multifunctional composites

Nanostructured biocomposite scaffolds of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) blended with collagen (coll) or hydroxyapatite (HA), or both for tissue engineering application, were fabricated by electrospinning. The electrospun scaffolds were characterized for the morphology, chemical and tensile properties by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle (WCA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurement, and tensile testing. Electrospun biocomposite scaffolds of PLLA and collagen or (and) HA in the diameter range of 200-700 nm mimic the nanoscale structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with a well-interconnection pore network structure. The presence of collagen in the scaffolds increased their hydrophility, and enhanced cell attachment and proliferation, while HA improved the tensile properties of the scaffolds. The biocompatibility of the electrospun scaffolds and the viability of contacting cells were evaluated by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) nuclear staining and by fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI) double staining methods. The results support the conclusion that 293T cells grew well on composite scaffolds. Compared with pure PLLA scaffolds a greater density of viable cells was seen on the composites, especially the PLLA/HA/collagen scaffolds.     

Systematic evolution of a porous hydroxyapatite-poly(vinylalcohol)-gelatin composite

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)-poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA)-gelatin nanocomposite was biomimetically synthesized and characterized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis of hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite-poly(vinylalcohol) and hydroxyapatite-poly(vinylalcohol)-gelatin composites show modification of hydroxyl, amide and phosphate bands as a result of chemical interaction of hydroxyapatite with the above composite matrices. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the time-dependent development of a porous structure of hydroxyapatite-poly(vinylalcohol)-gelatin as a consequence of nucleation at the HAp aggregate-matrix interface. A literature survey holds great promise for the above as scaffolds in terms of increased mechanical properties and bioactivity.     

Cadmium sorption properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxyapatite cryogels: I. kinetic and isotherm studies

A new adsorbent for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater, poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxyapatite(PVA/HAp) composite cryogel, has been investigated. The PVA/HAp cryogel was prepared through a clean process by using water and freeze-thawing. The PVA/HAp cryogel is provided with interconnected macropores varying from 0.1 um to several um and well dispersed and immobilized HAp in cryogel. Batch experiments of cadmium sorption were carried out to test the sorption ability of PVA/HAp cryogel. The isotherm and kinetics of cadmium sorption were studied by fitting the experimental results to isotherm and kinetics models. The Langmuir isotherm suitable for this system shows the maximum sorption capacity of 53.3 mg/g. For kinetics, the double-exponential model presents best fit compared with pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The double-exponential model indicates a diffusion-controlled and a two-step mechanism.     

羟基磷灰石/胶原矿化机理的研究进展

仿生合成的羟基磷灰石(HAp)/胶原复合材料的结构和成分与天然骨相似,具有很好的生物相容性、生物活性和生物可降解性,有望成为新一代的骨替代材料。羟基磷灰石/胶原矿化过程其实质是晶体在自组装的胶原纤维上形成的过程,但这一过程在体内是如何进行的至今仍然不清楚。对胶原矿化机理的研究能为制备具有更优越结构和功能的新型骨替代材料提供理论参考。本文概述了羟基磷灰石/胶原矿化机理的研究进展。     

Controllable synthesis and characterization of porous polyvinyl alcohol/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds via an in situ colloidal technique

During the last decades, there have been several attempts to combine bioactive materials with biocompatible and biodegradable polymers to create nanocomposite scaffolds with excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, biodegradability and mechanical properties. In this research, the nanocomposite scaffolds with compositions based on PVA and HAp nanoparticles were successfully prepared using colloidal HAp nanoparticles combined with freeze-drying technique for tissue engineering applications. In addition, the effect of the pH value of the reactive solution and different percentages of PVA and HAp on the synthesis of PVA/HAp nanocomposites were investigated. The SEM observations revealed that the prepared scaffolds were porous with three dimensional microstructures, and in vitro experiments with osteoblast cells indicated an appropriate penetration of the cells into the scaffold's pores, and also the continuous increase in cell aggregation on the scaffolds with increase in the incubation time demonstrated the ability of the scaffolds to support cell growth. According to the obtained results, the nanocomposite scaffolds could be considered as highly bioactive and potential bone tissue engineering implants.     

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite: micelle templated synthesis and characterization

Nanocrystalline calcium phosphate based inorganic, hydroxyapatite (HAp), was synthesized using the dodecyl phosphate micelle system. The surfactant concentration during synthesis played an important role on the final properties of these HAp nanoparticles. A surfactant concentration close to the critical micelle concentration produced the nanoparticles with the highest surface area, with porous less agglomerated morphology. Compacts made of these nanopowders showed between 97 and 98% theoretical density of phase-pure HAp and promoted cell-material interaction when cytotoxicity tests were performed.     

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite powders by a chitosan–polymer complex solution route: Synthesis and characterization

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp) powders were successfully synthesized by a simple method using chitosan–polymer complex solution. To obtain HAp nanopowders, the prepared precursor was calcined in air at 400–800 °C for 2 h. The phase composition of the calcined samples was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The XRD results confirmed the formation of HAp phase with a small trace of monotite phase. With increasing calcination temperature, the crystallinity of the HAp increased, showing the hexagonal structure of HAp with the lattice parameter a in a range of 0.94030–0.94308 nm and c of 0.68817–0.68948 nm. The particle sizes of the powder were found to be 55.02–73.36 nm as evaluated by the XRD line broadening method. The chemical composition of the calcined powders was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The peaks of the phosphate carbonate and hydroxyl vibration modes were observed in the FTIR spectra for all the calcined powders. TEM investigation revealed that the prepared HAP samples consisted of rod-like nanoparticles having the particle size in the range of 100–300 nm. The corresponding selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis further confirmed the formation of hexagonal structure of HAp.     

A solid-state NMR investigation of the structure of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp) prepared by a precipitation route was investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) powder patterns of the elongated nanocrystals with a typical diameter of about 10 nm and length of 30-50 nm (by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) revealed the presence of HAp with significantly broadened XRD reflections. However, Ca deficiency was found, as the Ca/P ratio was 1.5 only (so-called calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA)), and not 1.67. This Ca deficiency of nanocrystalline HAp is explained using NMR. It is shown unambiguously that (i) the nanocrystals consist of a crystalline core and a (disordered) surface region with a relative phosphate content of about 1:1, (ii) the crystalline core is HAp, and (iii) the surface region is dominated by hydrogen phosphate anions (with no hydroxyapatite-like structural motif) and structural water (hydrate). From the relative phosphate content and taking into account the crystal shape, the thickness of the surface layer along the main crystal axis could be estimated to be about 1 nm, and the average chemical composition of the surface layer has been determined. Finally, a Ca/P ratio of 1.52 was estimated from the NMR data that compares well with the value of 1.51 from chemical analysis. The important consequences are that the surface of nanocrystalline HAp has nothing in common with the bulk composition and that the chemistry of such materials (e.g. the binding of protein molecules to phosphate surfaces) must be reconsidered.     

Development and physicochemical characterization of doxorubicin-encapsulated hydroxyapatite–polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite for repair of osteosarcoma-affected bone tissues

Nowadays locoregional therapy for cancer treatment can be associated with nanocomposite drug delivery systems. Coated nanoparticles have versatile applications for delivering chemotherapeutic drugs to the targeted part of the body. In this study, a ceramic carrier like nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized by the in situ precipitation method followed by coating with anticancer drug like doxorubicin (DOX) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared polymer-coated drug ceramic nanocomposite (DOX-HAp-PVA) was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron spectroscopy, and particle size distribution. Furthermore, the biocompatibility and the anticancer activity of the nanocomposite were explored by MTT assay study. Successfully synthesized DOX-HAp-PVA nanocomposite exhibited a remarkable cytotoxicity toward osteosarcoma cells (MG 63), which may be potentially used as an anticancer agent against osteosarcoma.     

电化学沉积含纳米银羟基磷灰石涂层及抗菌性能研究

应用柠檬酸钠还原法制得纳米银胶体溶液,并在钛基表面电泳沉积纳米银颗粒,再由电化学沉积法沉积羟基磷灰石涂层.X射线电子能谱(XPS)、X射线衍射(XRD)和高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM/SEM)证实该涂层含羟基磷灰石(HAp)和Ag,其纳米银颗粒尺度为5~20 nm.抗菌试验表明,涂层中含银量随电泳沉积液纳米银粒子浓度升高而增加,抗菌性也相应增强.但如沉积液中银粒子超过一定浓度时,则其在钛表面会发生明显团聚,导致抗菌性能的降低.据此,初步优化了抗菌效果最佳的复合涂层制备技术.     

Fabrication of chitosan/collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds with encapsulated Cissus quadrangularis extract

Here, we demonstrated the fabrication of a composite scaffold (chitosan [CS], collagen [Col], and hydroxyapatite [HA]) with the incorporation of encapsulated Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) extract for tissue engineering applications. First, the crude extract of CQ loaded nanoparticles were synthesized via double emulsion technique using polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as oil and aqueous phases, respectively. Both PCL (20, 40, and 80 mg/mL) and PVA (0.5%, 1%, and 3% w/v) concentrations were varied to determine the optimum concentrations for CQ‐loaded nanoparticle preparation. The CQ‐loaded PCL nanoparticles (CQ‐PCL NPs), prepared with 20 mg/mL PCL and 0.5% (w/v) PVA, exhibited the smallest size of 334.22 ± 43.21 nm with 95.54 ± 1.49% encapsulation efficiency. Then, the CQ‐PCL NPs were incorporated into the CS/Col/HA scaffolds. These scaffolds were also studied for their ultrastructure, pore sizes, chemical composition, compressive modulus, water swelling, weight loss, and biocompatibility. The results showed that the addition of CQ‐PCL NPs into the scaffolds did not dramatically alter the ultrastructure and properties of the scaffolds, compared to CS/Col/HA scaffolds alone. However, incorporation of CQ‐PCL NPs in the scaffolds improved the release profile of CQ by preventing the initial burst release and prolonging the release rate of CQ. In addition, the CQ‐PCL NPs‐loaded CS/Col/HA scaffolds supported the attachment and proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast cells.     

Electrochemical Study of the Interactions of DNA with Redox‐Active Molecules Based on the Immobilization of dsDNA on the Sol‐Gel Derived Nano Porous Hydroxyapatite‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybrid Material Coating

A novel type of sol‐gel inorganic‐organic hybrid material coated on glassy carbon electrode used for immobilization of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) and study of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules was developed. The hybrid material coating was produced by sol‐gel method with nano hydroxyapatite (HAp)‐polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The optimum composition of the hybrid material was first examined, and the morphology of the nano HAp‐PVA coatings was investigated with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). DsDNA was immobilized in/on the nano HAp‐PVA hybrid coatings by adsorption and the characteristics of the dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using the probes of Co(phen) and Fe(CN) . The results indicate that the dsDNA can be immobilized on the nano porous HAp‐PVA coating effectively and its stability can satisfy the necessity of study on the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules on the electrode surface. Co(bpy) and Co(phen) were used as the model molecule to study the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules. Information such as ratio (K_Ox/K_Red) of the binding constant for the oxidized and reduced forms of a bound species, interaction mode, including change in the mode of interaction, and “limiting” ratio K /K at zero ionic strength (μ) can be obtained using dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE with about 2 μg of DNA samples.     

The influence of hydroxyapatite modification on the cross-linking of polydimethylsiloxane/HAp composites

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was modified by the action of various hydrophobic agents based on silicon-containing compounds. The influence of the type of applied agent on the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the cross-linking of poly(dimethyl siloxane)/HAp composites was investigated. All the modified HAp particles became hydrophobic and these samples were used to synthesize the polysiloxane/hydroxyapatite composites (PDMS/HAp). The possible modes of interaction between the hydroxyapatite and hydrophobing agents were discussed. The most probable interaction between hydroxyapatite and the applied hydrophobing agents is hydrogen bonding. PDMS/HAp composites were formed directly in the cell of the DSC and cross-linking was investigated in situ. It was determined that the introduction of hydroxyapatite into polysiloxane matrices changed the enthalpy of cross-linking, as well as the activation energy of cross-linking and reaction order, while the introduction of modified HAp led to thermodynamic and kinetic parameters more similar to those of the cross-linking of unfilled elastomer.     

Preparation of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: Comparison between hydrothermal and Solvo-Treatment processes and colloidal stability of produced nanoparticles in a dilute experimental dental adhesive

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the colloidal stability of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles prepared by different methods. Nano-sized hydroxyapatite particles are synthesized by two different methods including hydrothermal and solvo-treatment processes. In hydrothermal process nanoparticles are synthesized at high temperature, while in solvo-treatment method nanoparticles are synthesized at room temperature by the use of surfactants and organic solvent. The samples are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis detector (SEM + EDXA), and phase separation analyzer. The produced nanoparticles are different in size, stoichiometric ratio, morphology, crystallinity and colloidal stability in a dilute dental adhesive. The results show that the nanoparticles synthesized by these two methods are quite dissimilar and particles prepared by hydrothermal method have a smaller size and higher colloidal stability.