Solvent casting-particulate leaching synthesis of a nano-SiO2/chitosan composite scaffold for potential use in bone tissue engineering

Abstract

In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold comprised of chitosan and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) (CS/SiO2) was synthesized for bone tissue engineering. The scaffold was synthesized using a combination of solvent casting and salt leaching methods. The nanoparticle sizes were controlled by hydrothermal treatment with the aid of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which was then used as a bio-inorganic component of the composite scaffold. Various methods, such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, and liquid substitution, were conducted to determine the morphology, structure, pore sizes, and porosity of the synthesized scaffolds and the interaction between the SiO2 and CS phases. The mechanical properties of the composite scaffolds were evaluated by testing their tensile strength. The results showed that the synthesized 3D CS/SiO2 scaffolds exhibited porous structures with suitable average pore sizes ranging from 198 to 269 μm and porosities from 70.99 to 73.23%, respectively. The tensile strengths of the CS/SiO2 scaffolds were around 1.57-1.83 MPa, matching well with those of cancellous bone. These appropriate values in terms of pore size, porosity, and tensile strength suggest that CS/SiO2 scaffolds could support cell migration, growth, and distribution. The synthesized CS/SiO2 scaffolds would be potential biomaterials for bone tissue engineering applications.