Uniform and well dispersed nano hydroxyapatite (HA)–gelatine composites were obtained by co-precipitation of hydroxyapatite and denatured calf skin collagen. The process allowed much higher concentration of hydroxyapatite to be produced over conventional hydrothermal process to improve the productivity. The effect of gelatine on the morphology, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite particles was investigated. Fibroblast cell tests of the consolidated hydroxyapatite–gelatine composites showed that the composites have excellent biocompatibility.

This paper described the development of chitosan composites containing precipitated hydroxyapatite particles for potential applications in orthopaedic surgery or waste water treatment. The synthetic process and morphology of hydroxyapatite were reported. The effects of hydroxyapatite content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites were investigated. It was found that the Young's Modulus of the composites decreases with hydroxyapatite content while the failure strength and strain increase with the hydroxyapatite content.