Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Electrospun composite scaffolds were prepared by mixing gelatin with nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite (nanoHA) in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) solution. The fibrous composite scaffolds with nanoHA content from 0 to 40 wt% were compared in terms of structure and morphology via x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that dispersion of nanoHA in the scaffolds is uniform for 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% nanoHA content, but significant nanoHA agglomeration can be observed for scaffolds with 40% nanoHA. In order to study the effect of nanoHA content on mechanical properties at the nanoscale level, the fibrous scaffolds were pressed into dense pellets and tested by nanoindentation to determine Young's modulus. Young's modulus was found to increase linearly with nanoHA content, reaching unexpectedly high values of 10.2 ± 0.8 GPa. Results are compared with other polymer/HA composites including those made with polycaprolactone or collagen.