Collagen–carboxymethyl cellulose–tricalcium phosphate multi-lamellar cryogels for tissue engineering applications: Production and characterization

Abstract

Collagen–carboxymethyl cellulose–tricalcium phosphate cryogels were prepared for diverse biomedical applications. Further chemical and structural characterizations were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray crystallography, and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties were tested by unconfined compression test. Moreover, hemocompatibility of the cryogels was also evaluated by basic biochemical blood testing. Chemical and structural analysis results demonstrate the achievement of the cross-linking without any major alteration in collagen and carboxymethyl cellulose with a thermally and structurally stable blend formation. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrate the multi-lamellar formation with macro- and micro-pore compositions which can correlate with water uptake results of the cryogels. Hemocompatibility evaluations exhibited that the cryogels are non-toxic and blood-compatible. The overall results including mechanical testing of these tricalcium phosphate–consisting collagen/carboxymethyl cellulose cryogels may have potential use as a material for hard tissue regeneration.