Preparation of Hydroxyapatite Porous Scaffold

Abstract

The present work deals with the preparation and study of bioceramic scaffold using hydroxyapatite powder as the source material. Hap powder was prepared by Co-Precipitation technique using Ca(NO3)2.4H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 as raw materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy and BET analysis were used to characterize the Hap powder and calculate its crystallite size, surface area and particle size. Polyethylene glycol (PEG – 600) was used as the pore former to produce the bioceramic scaffold. Bulk density, apparent porosity and compressive strength of the scaffold were calculated. Thereafter, characterization techniques like Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were carried out to study the macro/micro pores and microstructure of the scaffold in detail. In the end, in-vitro bioactivity using SBF was done which was followed by a detailed SEM study of the SBF-treated scaffold which showed the growth of tissue over the scaffold surface.