Abstract
The paper presents the preparation of two new 3-D nanocomposite porous materials, based on collagen type I (COL) and b-tricalcium phosphate nanopowder (n-b-TCP) and the selection of the best method for their chemical cross-linking using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). To our knowledge, no EDC cross-linked COL/n-b-TCP composite materials for orthopedic use were reported. The physico-chemical and biological properties of the cross-linked composite materials were investigated by porosity, dissolution, enzymatic degradation and cytotoxicity analyses. Key words: carbodiimide, nano-beta-tricalcium phosphate, collagen, cross-linking, biocompatibility