Abstract
Siloxane-containing vaterite (SiV)/poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) hybrid (SiPVH) fibermats have superior potential for bone regeneration applications. Present work aims to optimise its performance as bone filler materials by improving its mechanical properties and maintaining its bioactivity. The SiPVH fibermats were prepared with melt-blending and electrospinning protocols and modified by increasing PLLA content from 40 to 70 wt %. The tensile strength of the modified fibermat was 10 times higher than that of the original one. The elongation before failure of the modified fibermat was twice as large as that of the original one. The mechanism of their enhancement was investigated by observing failure points in the fibermats after the tensile tests: necking of fibers, which occurred in the modified fibermats, was believed to contribute to the enhanced mechanical properties. The modified fibermat showed the relatively constant release of ionic silicon-species in Tris-buffer solution and could be coated with hydroxyapatite by soaking in simulated body fluid.
