Alginate-chitosan/hydroxyapatite polyelectrolyte complex porous scaffolds: Preparation and characterization

Porous scaffolds composed of alginate (AG) and chitosan (CS) were fabricated by combining the formation of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) with freeze-drying The AG scaffold was used as a framework with uniformly distributed and interconnected pore structure The chitosan or chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/HA) composite solution was introduced into the pores of AG scaffold to form PEC scaffolds. FT-IR, XRD and XPS analysis confirmed that CS or CS/HA was coated on the AG scaffold surface Microstructure, porosity. mechanical strength and thermal stability of PEC scaffolds were also investigated The AG-CS PEC scaffold and Ca2+ crosslinked AG scaffold showed smaller average pore diameter and lower porosity than those of uncrosslinked AG scaffold Moreover, compared with Ca2+ crosslinked AG scaffold, AG-CS PEC scaffold exhibited higher mechanical strength and better thermal stability (C) 2009 Elsevier B V All rights reserved