Calcium phosphate submicrometric fibers produced by solution blow spinning

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to produce submicrometric hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) biphasic fibers by means of solution blow spinning (SBS). This method was chosen due to its lower cost and higher production rate than those of electrospinning, which is normally employed in ceramic fiber production. The fibers thus obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The in vitro bioactivity and cytotoxicity of the fibers were also investigated. The XRD patterns indicated the formation of biphasic HA/βTCP fibers. SEM analysis revealed an interconnected cylindrical morphology with the presence of beads. Fiber diameters in the submicrometric range varied from 374 to 451 nm. TGA results indicated that organic losses occurred solely below 600ºC. All the fibers were non-cytotoxic, presenting an inhibitory concentration (IC) of > IC50. All the samples successfully formed acicular apatite layers when immersed in SBF, indicating a high potential for in vivo bone bioactivity.