Chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite composites with different weight ratios were prepared through a co-precipitation method using Ca(OH)(2), H(3)PO(4) and chitosan as starting materials. The properties of these composites were characterized by means of TEM, IR, XRD, burn-out test and universal matertial test machine. Additionally, in vitro tests were also conducted to investigate the biodegradability and bioactivity of the composite. The results showed that the HA synthesized here was poorly crystalline carbonated nanometer crystals and dispersed uniformly in chitosan phase and there is no phase-separation between the two phases. Because of the interactions between chitosan and n-HA, the mechanical properties of these composites were improved, and the maximum value of the compressive strength was measured about 120 MPa corresponding to the chitosan/n-HA composite with a weight ratio of 30/70. The specimens made of 30/70 chitosan/n-HA composite exhibit high biodegradability and bioactivity when being immersed in SBF solutions. The composite is appropriate to being used as scaffold materials for bone tissue engineering. (c) Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.