Preparation and characterisation of laminated hydroxyapatite/chitosan composite hydrogels

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) has been proposed for the use of electrically modulated drug delivery. However, the gel fatigue makes CS hydrogel difficult to achieve precise and prolonged drug release. In this study, laminated hydroxyapatite (HAp)/CS composite hydrogels were prepared via solution intercalation method. Cyclic electrostimulation test revealed that the fatigue of neat CS was significantly improved by incorporation of laminated HAp. It is detected by transmission electron microscopy that laminated HAp distributed disorderly in the CS matrix, and the dimension of the HAp lamella is ～150 nm. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity of 2HAp/CS was evaluated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The prepared composite hydrogels exhibit improved swelling fatigue property and good biocompatibility, which will further provide a wide range of potential application in the drug delivery.