Hydroxyapatite (HA) is known to promote osteogenicity and enhance mechanical strength of biopolymers. However, incorporating a large amount of HA into aporous biopolymer still remains a challenge. In this study, a new method was investigated to incorporate high HA loading into interconnected microporous poly(glycolic-co-lactic acid) (PLGA). Specifically, a tertiary blend comprising PLGA/PS/HA (40/40/20 wt%), prepared by melt blending under conditions for formation of a co-continuous structure, was annealed under small-strain oscillation between parallel plates. The results from different characterizations suggested that the applied small-strain oscillation substantially accelerated the migration of HA nanoparticles during annealing from the PS phase to the PLGA phase; nearly all HA particles were uniformly presented in the PLGA phase after a short period of annealing. After dissolution of the PS phase, a PLGA material with interconnected microporous structure was successfully produced, with a high HA loading above 30 wt%.

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