Chitosan Fibers Modified with HAp/β–TCP Nanoparticles

• Main Authors: Dariusz Wawro, Luciano Pighinelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2011-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: chitosan fibers; calcium phosphate; nanoparticles; mechanical properties
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/11/7286/

This paper describes a method for preparing chitosan fibers modified with hydroxyapatite (HAp), tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and HAp/β-TCP nanoparticles. Fiber-grade chitosan derived from the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and nanoparticles of tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) suspended in a diluted chitosan solution were used in the investigation. Diluted chitosan solution containing nanoparticles of Hap/β-TCP was introduced to a 5.16 wt% solution of chitosan in 3.0 wt% acetic acid. The properties of the spinning solutions were examined. Chitosan fibers modified with nanoparticles of HAp/β-TCP were characterized by a level of tenacity and calcium content one hundred times higher than that of regular chitosan fibers.