Preparation and characterization of gelatin/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite for bone tissue engineering

Homogeneous gelatin/hydroxyapatite (GEL/HA) nano‐composites were synthesized by a novel in situ precipitation method, and its corresponding characterizations, including composition, morphology, pore structure, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility, were carried out. High‐magnified scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that nano‐HA with particle size ranging from 20 to 50 nm were uniformly distributed in GEL matrix and tightly integrated with organic phase. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed that, during the process of mineralization, there existed preferred oriented growth of HA crystals along (002) and (211) crystal planes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) indicated that, the thermal stability of GEL molecules enhanced by hybridizing with HA nanocrystals. Interconnected porous GEL/HA nanocomposites with pore size ranging between 50 and 350 μm were prepared by a freeze‐drying method. This pore size was adequate for bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. In addition, in vitro MG63 osteoblast‐like cell culture illuminated that GEL/HA nanocomposites had excellent cytocompatibility and could promote proliferation of cells. These results suggested that GEL/HA nanocomposite might be an ideal bone substitute. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1579–1590, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers