A novel nano-hydroxyapatite/aliphatic polyesteramide composite

Hydrothermally synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) varying in weight from 10% to 30% was used as filler to make nanocomposites with novel aliphatic polyesteramide (PEA) in our laboratory. The structure and properties of PEA and its n-HA composites were investigated through transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractioin, scanning electron microscopy and energy spectrometry. The shape and size of the n-HA crystals are similar to those of the apatite crystals in natural bone. Molecule interactions are present between the n-HA and PEA in the composite, which allows the uniform dispersion of n-HA in PEA matrix. This contributes enhanced mechanical property and bioactivity to the composite. The cytocompatibility of the composites has been investigated by culturing osteoblasts on the membranes. Good cell attachment and proliferation manner were observed on the membranes after 1 week. These results suggest that the PEA/n-HA composites prepared in this study may serve as potential candidate scaffold for tissue engineering.