Chitosan fibers modified with HAp/β-TCP nanoparticles

Abstract

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.

Keywords: calcium phosphate; chitosan fibers; mechanical properties; nanoparticles.

Figure 1

(a) Particle size distribution of β-TCP in chitosan solution in hydrochloric acid (solution B); (b) HAp particles in chitosan acetate solution (solution C); (c) The HAp/β-TCP blend in chitosan (solution B/C).

Figure 1

(a) Particle size distribution of β-TCP in chitosan solution in hydrochloric acid (solution B); (b) HAp particles in chitosan acetate solution (solution C); (c) The HAp/β-TCP blend in chitosan (solution B/C).

Figure 2

Dependence of the apparent dynamic viscosity on the shearing rate and temperature of the acetate chitosan solution modified with HAp/β-TCP (MCT 11).

Figure 3

FTIR spectrum of the commercial HAp and β-TCP.

Figure 4

FTIR spectra of chitosan fibers (Chit 58) and modified β-TCP (MCT 6), and those modified with HAp (MCT 7), HAp/β-TCP (1:1) (MCT 8) and HAp/β-TCP (1:2) (MCT 11).

Figure 5

(a,b) SEM images of the surface and cross-section of chitosan fibers modified with HAp/β-TCP (MCT 8); (c,d) chitosan fibers modified with HAp/β-TCP nanoparticles (MCT 11).