Optimization of the Mechanical Properties and the Cytocompatibility for the PMMA Nanocomposites Reinforced with the Hydroxyapatite Nanofibers and the Magnesium Phosphate Nanosheets

Abstract

Commercial poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based cement is currently used in the field of orthopedics. However, it suffers from lack of bioactivity, mechanical weakness, and monomer toxicity. In this study, a PMMA-based cement nanocomposite reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanofibers and two-dimensional (2D) magnesium phosphate MgP nanosheets was synthesized and optimized in terms of mechanical property and cytocompatibility. The HA nanofibers and the MgP nanosheets were synthesized using a hydrothermal homogeneous precipitation method and tuning the crystallization of the sodium-magnesium-phosphate ternary system, respectively. Compressive strength and MTT assay tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical property and the cytocompatibility of the PMMA-HA-MgP nanocomposites prepared at different ratios of HA and MgP. To optimize the developed nanocomposites, the standard response surface methodology (RSM) design known as the central composite design (CCD) was employed. Two regression models generated by CCD were analyzed and compared with the experimental results, and good agreement was observed. Statistical analysis revealed the significance of both factors, namely, the HA nanofibers and the MgP nanosheets, in improving the compressive strength and cell viability of the PMMA-MgP-HA nanocomposite. Finally, it was demonstrated that the HA nanofibers of 7.5% wt and the MgP nanosheets of 6.12% wt result in the PMMA-HA-MgP nanocomposite with the optimum compressive strength and cell viability.

Acrylate and Methacrylate Polymers’ Applications: Second Life with Inexpensive and Sustainable Recycling Approaches

“…Shirdar et al have prepared PMMA modified with HA nanofibers and 2D magnesium phosphate nanosheets, so accelerating bone healing and osseointegration. The authors demonstrated the improving of the cytocompatibility and optimum compressive strength of the nanohybrid composite compared to PMMA [ 76 ].…”

Evaluation of the Effect of Selected Physiological Fluid Contaminants on the Mechanical Properties of Selected Medium-Viscosity PMMA Bone Cements

“…Intensive research is currently being conducted to improve the thermal, mechanical and biological properties of bone cements [ 16 ]. The research includes doping the cement mass with small amounts of components such as carbon fibers [ 41 ], zirconia fibers [ 42 ], graphite fibers [ 43 ], graphene oxide [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ], bioactive glasses [ 48 ], nanosilver [ 49 ], polydioxanone (PDO) [ 48 ], cellulose [ 48 , 50 , 51 ], mesoporous silica nanoparticles [ 52 , 53 ], aramid [ 54 , 55 ], polyethylene [ 56 ], titanium [ 57 , 58 ], ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene [ 59 ], tricalcium phosphate (TCP) [ 16 , 60 ] or hydroxyapatite (HA) [ 61 , 62 ]. The effect of aging processes associated with the absorption of physiological fluids and the accompanying hydrolysis of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) occurring in the outermost layers of the cement are also important, as well as the effect of deviation from the manufacturer’s recommended cement mix ratio [ 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ].…”

Characterizing the Effect of Adding Boron Nitride Nanotubes on the Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Polymer Nanocomposite Microfibers Mesh

“…These properties only depend on the features of the fibers, such as the smaller diameters and fewer beads [ 24 ]. Fibers produced with smaller diameters will have better mechanical properties, such as a higher Young’s modulus, better strength, and more toughness [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. With the electrospinning technique, fiber properties such as the diameter, alignment, degree of fusion, and porosity can be controlled and enhanced [ 24 ].…”