Preparation, characterization and biocompatible properties of β-chitin/silk fibroin/nanohydroxyapatite composite scaffolds prepared using a freeze-drying method

Abstract

β-Chitin/silk fibroin/nanohydroxyapatite (CT/SF/nHAp) composite scaffolds were synthesized using a freeze-drying method by blending β-chitin hydrogel, silk fibroin and nHAp at different inorganic/organic weight ratios. The prepared nHAp and composite scaffolds were characterized using BET, SEM, EDS, FT-IR, XRD and TGA studies. The composite scaffolds were found to have 80–87% porosity with a well-defined interconnected porous construction. Moreover, the cell viability, attachment and proliferation using MTT, DMEM solution, and mouse preosteoblast cells proved the cytocompatible nature of the composite scaffolds with improved proliferation and cell attachment. These results imply that these materials have the ability to be candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.