title: Preparation of three-dimensional fibroin/collagen scaffolds in various pH conditions.
abstract: Three dimensional (3-D) fibroin/collagen scaffolds are the novel fibroin based scaffolds derived from aqueous solution. In this article, we investigated the effect of pH on the formation of fibroin/collagen scaffolds. In the range of pH from 4 to 8.5, the fibroin/collagen scaffolds with good porous structures can be prepared using freeze-drying method, which would facilitate the adding of other biopolymers. The structures of different fibroin-based scaffolds were investigated with FTIR and DSC, which indicated that the interaction of fibroin and collagen affected the methanol-induced transformation of fibroin from random-coil to beta-sheet conformation. The mechanical properties were also studied. The results mean that all the fibroin-based scaffolds prepared in various pH values had better mechanical properties than other reported fibroin scaffolds. Since the fibroin/collagen scaffolds can be prepared in the range of pH from 4 to 8.5, it is very easy to prepare different multifunctional scaffolds such as fibroin/collagen/chitosan scaffolds and fibroin/collagen/heparin scaffolds in acidic or neutral conditions. These new fibroin-based blend materials extend the range of biomaterial properties that can promote the use in biomedical applications such as drug release and tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Qingling
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Fuzhai
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013696:Temperature; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen; D005349:Fibroins