Antibacterial, mechanical, and dielectric properties of hydroxyapatite cordierite/zirconia porous nanocomposites for use in bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

We made nanocomposites with different amounts of hydroxyapatite (HA), cordierite (Cord), and zirconia (ZrO2), then sinterized them and studied them using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Additionally, the bioactivity of the sintered samples was assessed in vitro following treatment with simulated bodily fluid (SBF), and FESEM was used to validate the creation of the HA layer on their surfaces. Measurements were also made for mechanical and antibacterial properties. All materials' electrical and dielectric characteristics were assessed before and after being treated with SBF solution. All of the samples that were studies had porosity increases of about 7.14, 22.44, 43.87, and 73.46%. This was because the sintering temperature was lowered while the concentration of ZrO2 in the samples increased. Also, the microhardness got 5.35, 14.28, 28.57, and 55.35% better because there was more ZrO2 and Cord in the samples than in the sample that did not have them. In addition, the compressive strength of all studied samples followed this trend, as it increased by 2.81, 7.79, 17.74, and 34.32% due to the reasons mentioned above. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the tested samples decreased as they increased their ZrO2 and Cord contents. The bioactivity of the research materials also somewhat decreased as the concentrations of Cord and ZrO2 were enhanced over time. Due to the magnesium (Mg2+) ions found in Cord's composition and the samples' porousness, which aided in forming an apatite layer on their surface, their bioactivity behavior was slightly reduced. All the samples that were looked at had a strong antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis bacteria), which stopped their growth to a point between 2.33–3.30 mm. These results supported the notion that the generated porous nanocomposites have great potential for use in bone tissue engineering.