Synthesis and characterization of nHA-PEG and nBG-PEG scaffolds for hard tissue engineering applications

Abstract The present research focuses on the synthesis of nHA-PEG and nBG-PEG scaffolds using the space-holder method for hard-tissue engineering applications. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method, followed by the freeze-drying process, to improve the stability of the nanoparticles. The physiochemical and morphological properties of samples was done by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and BET. After 14 days, nHA-PEG scaffold shown 6.7% more in-vitro biodegradation than nBG-PEG scaffold. Due to high porosity and surface area, nBG-PEG scaffold shown 11.5% more PBS adsorption than nHA-PEG after 180 min. Two-step weight loss found in both scaffolds, 46.30% total weight loss observed in the nHA-PEG sample and 49.15% in the nBG-PEG sample. From stress vs strain curve, the nHA-PEG and nBG-PEG scaffolds showed an elastic modulus 134.189 MPa and 87.196 MPa while compressive strength 12.01 MPa and 11.95 MPa respectively. The cytotoxicity of the scaffolds was measured using the trypan blue assay, confirming the cyto-compatible nature of the fabricated scaffolds.