Preparation of chitosan-hydroxyapatite composite mono-fiber using coagulation method and their mechanical properties

Autograft has been carried out for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. However, it has negative aspect because patients lose their healthy ligaments from other part. We focus on a chitosan-hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite fiber as a scaffold of ligament regeneration. Chitosan- HAp composite fiber was made by using coagulation method. Chitosan-NaH₂PO₄ solution was coagulated with coagulation bath including calcium ion to get the mono-fiber and then treated with sodium hydroxide solution to form HAp in fiber matrix. The mechanical property of the fiber was improved by the stretching of the wet one because of the orientation of chitosan molecule and the interaction between chitosan and HAp. Maximum stress was improved with increasing of sodium dihydrogen phosphate until 0.03 M. The swelling ratio of the fiber was inhibited by composited with HAp. Additionally, bone-bonding ability was confirmed by SBF soaking tests.