Fabrication and In Vitro Biocompatibility of Hydroxyapatite/Titania@Calcium Titanate Hydroxide Nanosheet Microspheres

ABSTRACT The surface structure of biomaterials is one of the important factors influencing cell adhesion and proliferation. In this study, the novel hierarchical hydroxyapatite (HAp)/titania/calcium titanate hydroxide nanosheet microspheres were synthesized by in situ growth of calcium titanate hydroxide nanosheets on the HAp/titania microspheres after hydrothermal treatment in sodium hydroxide solution. Their microstructure and in vitro biocompatibility were investigated. SEM observations showed that each microsphere was spherical in morphology and had diameters of 50–200 µm. The surface of each microsphere was constructed of numerous nanosheets with diameters of 10–30 nm and exhibited hierarchical structure. XRD pattern showed that those nanosheets were assigned to calcium titanate hydroxide. TEM observations showed that Ca, O, and Ti elements were well distributed in each nanosheet. In vitro biocompatibility evaluation showed that the hierarchical HAp/titania/calcium titanate hydroxide nanosheet microspheres were biocompatible and enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation in contrast with nanosheet‐free HAp/titania microspheres, indicating that they have potential as novel biocompatible cell carriers.