Preparation and characterization of aliphatic polyurethane and hydroxyapatite composite scaffold

Novel porous composite scaffolds for tissue engineering were prepared from aliphatic biodegradable polyurethane (PU) elastomer and hydroxyapatite (HA). It was found that the aliphatic PU was possible to load up to 50 wt % HA. The morphology and properties of the scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectra, mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, and in vitro degradation measurement. The results indicated that the HA/PU scaffolds had an interconnected porous structure with a pore size mainly ranging from 300 to 900 μm, and 50–200 μm micropores existed on the pores' walls. The average pore size of macropores and micropores are 510 and 100 μm, respectively. The compressive strength of the composite scaffolds showed higher enhancement with increasing HA content. In addition, the polymer matrix was completely composed of aliphatic component and exhibited progressive mass loss in vitro degradation, and the degradation rate depended on the HA content in PU matrix. The porous HA/PU composite may have a good prospect to be used as scaffold for tissue engineering. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009