Preparation and physicochemical properties of a novel hydroxyapatite/chitosan–silk fibroin composite

A novel hydroxyapatite/chitosan–silk fibroin (HA/CTS–SF) composite was prepared for bone repair and replacement by a coprecipitation method. It was revealed that the inorganic phase in the composite was carbonate-substituted HA with low crystallinity. The HA crystallites were found to be needle-like in shape with a typical size of 20–50 nm in length and around 10 nm in width. The composite exhibited a higher compressive strength than the precipitated HA without any organic source involved, which was closely related to the perfect incorporation of chitosan and SF macromolecules into the composite. The chemical interactions occurring between the mineral phase and the organic matrix were thought to improve the interfacial bonding and thus resulted in the enhanced mechanical property of the composite.