Crosslinking of electrospun fibrous gelatin scaffolds for apatite mineralization

Fibrous gelatin scaffolds fabricated via electrospinning followed by crosslinking were used as substrates for apatite mineralization. Gelatin macromolecules were confined by their fibers and further restricted by the crosslinked structure while proper flexibility could be attained upon hydration. After 4 or 5 days of mineralization, partially carbonated hydroxyapatite was proved to deposit uniformly on the surface of the fibers. The property of the substrate, such as stiffness of the scaffolds and flexibility of macromolecules chain, was changed by different crosslinking ways. The influences of these properties on the formation of apatite were also investigated. Results showed that a relatively less rigid interface and more flexible chain acquired by glutaraldehyde solution crosslinking seemed to favor the nucleation of minerals and to reduce the size of the inorganic products.