Stearic acid modified nano hydroxyapatite (n-SHA) filled polyoxymethylene (POM) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing method for bone tissue replacement and regeneration applications. Contact angle measurements of POM nanocomposites were carried out to understand the effect of n-SHA addition on the hydrophobicity of nanocomposites. The mechanical properties like tensile strength, Young's modulus and elongation at break were found to be increased significantly by the incorporation of n-SHA into the POM matrix. The bone-bonding ability of the nanocomposites was evaluated by examining the apatite formation on their surface after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) and apatite formation was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The protein adhesion studies revealed the enhanced biocompatibility of the nanocomposites due to the presence of n-SHA nanofillers on the surface and it provides favorable binding sites for protein adsorption. The significant improvement in the biocompatibility as well as mechanical, thermal and hydrophobic properties of the POM nanocomposites makes it a potential future material for bone implantation.
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