International Journal of Engineering and Technology

Composite as candidate of scaffold have been synthesized from fish hydroxyapatite (FHAp) and fish gelatin (FGel) of Barramundi (Lates calcarifer Bloch) scale that aqua-cultured in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia. The effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blending was investigated for improvement of compressive strength of composites. Composites were synthesized by wet method at FGel/PVA percent mass ratio of 10/0, 7.5/2.5, 5.0/5.0, and 7.5/2.5 (w/w), respectively. Sodium citrate was used as dispersant to forming a paste-like suspension condition. Porous composites were obtained after freeze-drying of suspensions. Compressive strength and Young’s modulus of scaffold were increased as increasing PVA content. FTIR spectra confirmed the molecular interaction among components of composite. SEM micrograph showed fibrous and ribbon structure over surface of FHAp/FGel composite that blended with PVA. Gamma irradiation lead to formation of micro- and mesopores in the wall surface of composite.