In vitro apatite deposition and biodegradation of porous gelatin-silicate hybrids derived from sol-gel process

Ca(II) containing porous hybrids of gelatin and 3-(glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPSM) were prepared with sol-gel processing and freeze-drying techniques. The freezing temperature could control porosity and pore size of the hybrids. The biodegradation rate of the hybrids in a Tris buffer solution decreased with an increase in GPSM content. The bone-like apatite layer could form on the Ca(II) containing porous gelatin-silicate hybrids when they were soaked in a stimulated body fluid (SBF), hence they were applicable to be the bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.