Carboxymethylchitosan/Calcium Phosphate Hybrid Materials Prepared by an Innovative Auto-Catalytic Co-Precipitation Method

In this study, it is shown that it is possible to prepare carboxymethyl-chitosan/Ca-P hybrids using an innovative “auto-catalytic” co-precipitation method, namely by using an acid and an oxidant bath. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns evidenced the formation of crystalline calcium-phosphate precipitates when using an acid bath, while amorphous ones were obtained for those produced in the oxidant bath. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/EDS) studies revealed that the extent of the polymer precipitation and formation of calcium-phosphates is directly dependent on the pH and composition of the baths. Furthermore, by conducting bioactivity tests in a simulated body fluid (SBF) followed by the SEM/EDS analysis it was possible to detect the formation of an apatite layer with a cauliflower-like morphology on the surface of hybrids prepared by the acid bath, after 7 days of immersion. These results are quite promising because they can allow for the production of bioactive and biodegradable 3D porous scaffolds to be used in bone tissue engineering applications.