| Summary: | Biomimetic mineralization was performed on a large scale by a rapid and efficient approach. Chitosan scaffolds were placed in a mixed solution of urea, ethanol and distilled water, followed by the introduction of dibasic sodium phosphate (0.1M) and calcium chloride (0.1M) with the molar ratio of 1.67. These mixed solvents was then adjusted to weakly alkaline by adding sodium hydroxide solution. Finally the reaction mixture was sealed and kept at 80ºC for predetermined time. The composition and morphology of the apatite and the hybrid scaffolds were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The mechanism of nucleation and growth of crystals was discussed as well. The results revealed that chitosan scaffolds improved the crystallinity of hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals. With the extension of mineralization time, the mineral layers on the outer surface and inner section of chitosan scaffolds increased as well. Furthermore, the compressive strength and modulus of the HAP-chitosan scaffolds biocomposites increased to 0.55±0.003 and 29.29±1.25 MPa respectively. Such one-pot approach may be extended to the mineralization of other materials and will have a broad application in the future.
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