@article {Silva2013a,
	title = {{Alternative methodology for chitin-hydroxyapatite composites using ionic liquids and supercritical fluid technology}},
	journal = {Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers},
	volume = {28},
	number = {5},
	year = {2013},
	note = {n/a},
	abstract = {<p>An alternative, green method was used to develop chitin-based biocomposite (ChHA) materials by an integrated strategy using ionic liquids, supercritical fluid drying, and salt leaching. ChHA matrices were produced by dissolving chitin in 1-butyl-methylimidazolium acetate along with salt and/or hydroxyapatite particles and then subsequent drying. The ChHA composite formed had a heterogeneous porous microstructure with 65{\%}-85{\%} porosity and pore sizes in the range of 100-300 $μ$m. The hydroxyapatite was found to be well distributed within the composite structures and had a positive effect in the viability and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells, in vitro. Our findings indicate that these ChHA matrices have potential applications in bone tissue engineering. {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2013.</p>
},
	keywords = {Chitin, Composites, controlled pore sizes, Hydroxyapatite, ionic liquids, salt leaching, scaffold pores sizing, supercritical fluid technology},
	issn = {08839115},
	doi = {10.1177/0883911513501595},
	author = {Silva, S.S. and Duarte, A.R.C. and Oliveira, J.M. and Mano, J.F. and Reis, R.L.}
}
