Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of a Hydroxyapatite Polymer Nanocomposite for Use in Fused Filament Fabrication

Abstract

Over the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in the use of bioceramics for biomedical purposes. Bioceramics, specifically those made of calcium phosphate, are commonly used in dental and orthopaedic applications. In this context, hydroxyapatite (HA) is considered a viable option for hard tissue engineering applications given its compositional similarity to bioapatite. However, owing to their poor mechanobiology and biodegradability, traditional HA-based composites have limited utilisation possibilities in bone, cartilage and dental applications. Therefore, the efficiency of nano HA (nHA) has been explored to address these limitations. nHA has shown excellent remineralising effects on initial enamel lesions and is widely used as an additive for improving existing dental materials. Furthermore, three-dimensional printing (3DP) or fused deposition modelling that can be used for creating dental and hard tissue scaffolds tailored to each patient’s specific anatomy has attracted considerable interest. However, the materials used for producing hard tissue with 3DP are still limited. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop a hybrid polymer nanocomposite composed of nHA, nanoclay (NC) and polylactic acid (PLA) that was suitable for 3DP. The nHA polymer nanocomposites were extruded into filaments and their physiochemical properties were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of nHA and NC to the PLA matrix significantly increased the water absorption and contact angle. In addition, the hardness increased from 1.04 to 1.25 times with the incorporation of nHA. In sum, the nHA-NC-reinforced PLA could be used as 3DP filaments to generate bone and dental scaffolds, and further studies are needed on the biocompatibility of this material.

Non-Woven Fibrous Polylactic Acid/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites Obtained via Solution Blow Spinning: Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior

“…These results highlight a very interesting conclusion with significant implications for potential applications of fibrillar materials (scaffolds, filters, membranes, among others). The crystallinity fraction of the PLA-based materials produced by SBS, compared to those produced by other methods such as additive manufacturing [ 52 ], extrusion, or injection molding, can be increased even at lower temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining their fibrillar morphology.…”

PCLLA-nanoHA Bone Substitute Promotes M2 Macrophage Polarization and Improves Alveolar Bone Repair in Diabetic Environments

“…Classic hydroxyapatite materials have been widely employed in the field of dentistry. In clinical practice, hydroxyapatite bone powder is frequently utilized as a bone regeneration scaffold for jaw bone abnormalities [28]. However, this repair procedure frequently needs a supporting gap, and our enhanced materials have greater flexibility and are ideal for many types of bone defects, particularly during the orthodontic bone opening process [29].…”

“…HA, a biomaterial with a composition similar to natural bone mineral, possesses excellent osteoconductive properties [28]. It can provide a scaffold for new bone formation and integration with the surrounding tissues.…”

Enhancing the Weld Quality of Polylactic Acid Biomedical Materials Using Rotary Friction Welding

“…Classified as a polyester, PLA serves as a prominent bioplastic in a myriad of applications [17]. It has gained popularity in recent years as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics [18][19][20]. PLA has various applications across various industries due to its biodegradability, renewability, and versatility.…”