Evaluation of Novel Biofilm Fabricated by the Combination of Hydroxyapatite and Cellulose Derivative

Abstract

The novel biofilm could be fabricated putting the nanofiber-dispersed liquid into the mould dried at 50ºC for 2 days. 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpitiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) oxidized cellulose (TOC) was converted to the nanofiber (TOCN), due to the agitating and ultrasonic treatment. The resulting film showed excellent transparency, flexibility and mechanical properties (tensile strength). Next, two kinds of hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂; HAp) i.e., whisker-like HAp (w-HAp) and nano-sized HAp (n-HAp), were mixed with TOCN to form biofilm composite. After the immersion of this biofilm in the simulated body fluid at 37ºC for 2 weeks, Ca and P were detected from the TOCN film by XRF. The precipitated amounts of Ca and P in each biofilm composite increased with decreasing HAp/TOCN ratio, which suggested that the calcium phosphate was precipitated preferentially at the TOCN sites.