Fabrication of mechanically robust bilayer membranes of hydroxyapatite/collagen composites

Abstract

Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen (Col) composites have been investigated as bilayer membranes for the application of guided bone regeneration. This study investigated the fabrication of HAp/Col bilayer membranes with different weight ratios based on the sequential or simultaneous Col self-assembly, and ethanol-exchanged methods. The membranes exhibited HAp embedded in Col fibrils. The sequentially self-assembled membranes showed distinct HAp/Col layers interconnected by interfaces consisting of elongated collagen fibrils. In contrast, the simultaneously self-assembled membrane had a continuous interface. The bilayer membranes had a tensile strength in the range of 8 to 50 MPa, depending on the HAp/Col ratio. The combination of sequential self-assembly and ethanol-exchanged methods is successful in fabricating HAp/Col bilayer membranes with distinct layer-by-layer structures and robust mechanical properties.