Preparation of siloxane-containing vaterite/poly (L-lactic acid) hybrid microbeads with silicate and calcium ions-releasing ability

Abstract

Siloxane-containing vaterite (SiV)/poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) hybrids have the releasing-ability of silicate and calcium ions for gene-activation. In the present paper a new types of beads were prepared using the hybrids via an electrospraying method. The diameters of the beads were controlled in the range of ³65 to ³180¯m by increasing the feeding rate from 0.1 to 0.9 ml/min. Depressed areas could be observed on the surface of the beads. The SiV particles with concentration of 10 and 20 wt % in the beads were completely enclosed by the PLLA matrix. These beads showed the controlled release of silicate and calcium ions in Tris buffer solution.