Abstract
The biocompatible materials composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles and poly-lactic acid (PLA) are one of the most promising candidates as scaffold materials for bone regeneration, owing to the bone-conductivity of HAp and the biodegradability of PLA. However, the poor fracture properties, mainly caused by the weak interface, are one of the factors limiting their practical application. In this study, we tried the “hybrid” interface control in HAp/ PLA composite materials using both pectin and chitosan as the surface treatment polymers in consideration with the biological affinity. Here, photo-dissociable protective groups, which can be eliminated from the protection site by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, were applied into carboxyl groups of pectin, in order to avoid the direct chemical reaction between pectin and chitosan. In order to evaluate the effect of the hybrid interface control on fracture properties of HAp/PLA composite materials, tensile tests for un-modified and hybrid-interface-controlled HAp/PLA composite materials were carried out, followed by the observation of fracture morphologies and surfaces. Finally, the effect of the hybrid interface control on the fracture behavior of HAp/PLA composite materials was discussed from the viewpoint of the interfacial mesoscopic structures.
