Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone)- 1,4-Butanediamine-Modified Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/Nano-Biaoactive Glass-β-Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Scaffolds

Polymer/bioceramic composite scaffolds have gained importance in treating bone defects. In this paper we described a novel degradable scaffold material for bone tissue repairing prepared by combining poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLLGC) and 1,4-butanediamine-modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (BMPLGA) with nano-biaoactive glass (NBAG) and nano beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). The composite scaffolds were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The FTIR results indicated that the inorganic fillers of NBAG and beta-TCP were successfully incorporated into the PLLGC/BMPLGA matrix. The influences of the inorganic filler content and freezing temperature on the porosity and compressive strength of the composite scaffolds were studied. The composite scaffolds showed an interconnected pore structure with the pore size ranging from 20 to 100 mu m depending on the freezing temperature and the inorganic fillers. The compressive strength was enhanced with increasing content of the inorganic fillers and the freezing temperature; however, the porosity decreased. We suggest the PLLGC-BMPLGA/NBAG-beta-TCP composite scaffolds have great potential for application in bone tissue regeneration.