Highly Porous Scaffolds Made of Nanosized Hydroxyapatite Powder Synthesized from Eggshells

摘要

Nanosize hydroxyapatite powder synthesized indirectly from eggshells is used to produce 3D porous scaffolds. They are fabricated via a polymeric sponge method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize the phase composition and grain size of the scaffolds, respectively. The results showed that the prepared powder is composed of pure hydroxyapatite with a grain size ranging between 35 and 122 nm. The prepared scaffolds calcined at 1250 degrees C for 2 h possess interconnected porosity (approximate to 73 %). The studied scaffolds showed suitable mechanical strength necessary for bone tissue engineering. Their crushing and bending strengths were 0.82 MPa and 1.72 MPa, respectively. Thin film XRD, SEM and EDS confirmed the presence of a rich bone-like apatite layer post-immersion in SBF on the scaffold's surface.