Preparation and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite membranes for guided bone regeneration.

In this study, nano-hydroxyapatite/poly(vinyl alcohol) (n-HA/PVA) composite membranes were prepared by solvent casting and evaporation method. The morphology, mechanical properties, water absorption behavior, contact angle measurement and biocompatibility of these membranes were examined by SEM, FTIR, XRD, MTT assay and etc. The results demonstrate that the surface of composite membranes is suitable for the adhesion and proliferation of osteogenic cells, and that n-HA and PVA are in uniform distribution when the content of n-HA is less than 20 wt%. Tests of swelling behavior and water contact angle show that the incorporation of n-HA into PVA matrix significantly reduces its hydrophilicity. Mechanical tests reveal that the addition of n-HA nanoparticles reduces tensile strength and elongation rate but increases Young's modulus of composite membranes. Cell attachment test and MTT assay prove that n-HA/PVA composite membranes have good biocompatibility. Therefore, the n-HA/PVA composite membranes possess potential application for guided bone regeneration (GBR).