A Novel Nanocomposite Particle of Hydroxyapatite and Silk Fibroin: Biomimetic Synthesis and Its Biocompatibility

Abstract

A novel bone‐like biomaterial of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and silk fibroin (SF) composite was developed by biomimetic synthesis. The composite was precipitated from drops of Ca(OH) 2 suspension and H 3 PO 4 solution with SF. With this method, the HAP nanocrystals were obtained by self‐assembling on a SF surface whose c‐axis was aligned with the long‐axis direction of SF in microstructures; this shares the same misconstrues of collagen and HAP with that in the natural bone. The HAP/SF composite then demonstrated that it could promote osteoblast proliferation in vitro and new bone formation in vivo . The novel biomaterial is a promising material for bone replacement and regeneration.