Design and preparation of chitosan/HA composite scaffolds for tissue engineering with long-bone-like structure

A novel long-bone-like structural scaffold was fabricated by freeze-drying and alkalisation process. The structure of the hydroxyapatite/chitosan scaffolds was composed of outer dense shell and inner porous sponge with aperture of 300 ∼ 500 μm. An advantage of the scaffolds is that the dense shell could support the main loading while it was pressed, and the inner pores and wherein cells and tissues could be protected. The compressive strength and compressive modulus were 6.85 MPa and 65.09 MPa, respectively. Hence, the scaffolds were suitable for bone replacement or bone tissue engineering.