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Porous scaffolds of polycaprolactone reinforced with in situ generated hydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering

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Abstract

Polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composites were prepared by in situ generation of HA in the polymer solution starting from the precursors calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate via sol–gel process. Highly interconnected porosity was achieved by means of the salt-leaching technique using a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate as porogens. Structure and morphology of the PCL/HA composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties were determined by means of tensile and compression tests. The possibility to employ the developed composites as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration was assessed by cytotoxicity test of the PCL/HA composites extracts and cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro studies.

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Acknowledgments

Mr. Piero Narducci of the University of Pisa is gratefully acknowledged for the recording of the SEM images of the cells grown onto PCL/HA scaffolds. Dr. Ing. Andrea Dorigato of the Engineering Faculty at the University of Trento is also gratefully acknowledged for support in measuring the mechanical properties of the scaffolds in compression mode. Ms Giulia Bartalucci and Ms Sara Menozzi are acknowledged for support in experimental work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials and Environmental Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vignolese 905/a, 41100, Modena, Italy

    Paola Fabbri, Federica Bondioli & Massimo Messori

  2. Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Vecchia Livornese 1291, S. Piero a Grado, 56122, Pisa, Italy

    Cristina Bartoli, Dinuccio Dinucci & Federica Chiellini

  3. Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale di Sienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, INSTM, Via Giusti 9, 50121, Florence, Italy

    Paola Fabbri, Federica Bondioli & Massimo Messori

  4. BIOlab–Laboratory of Bioactive Polymeric Materials for Biomedical and Environmental Applications, INSTM Consortium Reference Center, Pisa, Italy

    Cristina Bartoli, Dinuccio Dinucci & Federica Chiellini

Authors
  1. Paola Fabbri
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  2. Federica Bondioli
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  3. Massimo Messori
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  4. Cristina Bartoli
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  5. Dinuccio Dinucci
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  6. Federica Chiellini
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Correspondence to Paola Fabbri.

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Fabbri, P., Bondioli, F., Messori, M. et al. Porous scaffolds of polycaprolactone reinforced with in situ generated hydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 21, 343–351 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-009-3839-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-009-3839-5

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