Poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid and silica gel fibers mixed non-woven fabric was made by
electro-spinning method for the potential application as a bone grafting material. The silica gel, the
source material for electro-spinning, was prepared by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate in the
presence of calcium salt, water, hydrochloric acid and ethanol. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid solution
was prepared by dissolving it in the hexafluoroisopropanol. Then, they were transferred to two
separate syringes which were connected to the high voltage supply generating a high electric field
between the spinneret and the ground collecting drum. The silica gel containing calcium and
poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid solution were spun together under the electric field of 2 ㎸/㎝. The
FE-SEM observations showed that the silica gel and poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid fibers were mixed
together completely and its handling property was much improved compared to that of the non-woven
silica gel fabric. After soaking in the SBF for 1 week, low crystalline apatite crystals were also
observed to occur on the silica fiber surfaces first and then they were also observed to occur on the
poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid fiber surfaces. From the results, it can be concluded that the
poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid and silica gel fibers mixed non-woven fabric made by electro-spinning
method has a bioactivity. It means it has a potential to be used as a bone grafting material because of
its apatite-forming ability, high surface area to volume ratio and high porosity.