Significant progress in the study of scaffolds for cell growth has taken place that has led to the development of a wide variety of metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite biomaterials. This article describes the fabrication and characterization of an electrospun net with tunable morphological and mechanical properties composed by aligned fibers of polyamide 6 (PA 6) and carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Physical and short-term biological properties of the nets were evaluated, focusing on the effect of the filler addition. The production technique used, induced the alignment of MWCNT within the nanofiber axis and the formation of a roughness on the fiber's surface. The proliferation and activation of MG63 cell line osteoblasts were enhanced due to surface modification caused by the filler addition compared to the purely PA 6 networks.
The effect of heavy doses (up to 200 Mrad) of γ-radiation on the short-range structural organization in montmorillonite was studied using infrared (IR) spectroscopy and solid-state high-resolution 27Al and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). No change attributable to irradiation was observed. A small variation in the water content was noted but it is not systematic. The results show that the montmorillonite structure can accumulate high doses of radiation without damage and therefore this clay is a suitable material for use in the safe disposal of radioactive waste.
Biocompatible fibers has been studied and synthesized in order to improve the mechanical and general properties of bone cements. In order to do so, this work presents the synthesis of Whisker-like fibers of Silicon doped Hydroxyapatite by alkaline hydrolysis of Silicon doped α-TCP. The main fibers analyzed by SEM showed an aspect ratio of about 18 (l = 3.9 µm, d = 0.22 µm), well defined superficial aspect and hexagonal structure. XRD and EDX characterization presented Calcium Deficient Hydroxyapatite peaks and Ca/P ratio of 1.47.
A lot of attention has been given to bone cements due to their lack of mechanical properties. The improvement of this property is essential, once it makes possible the usage of these biomaterials in sites that require a significant mechanical strength resistance. To do so, reinforcement agents, such as fibers, in particular biocompatible fibers, have been synthesized [1]. This study reports the synthesis of stequiometric Hydroxyapatite whisker-like fibers utilizing the Molten Salt Synthesis process of nanometric Hydroxyapatite with a salt flux mixture of KCl/NaCl. According to SEM images, EDS analysis and X-ray diffraction, the fibers obtained presented well defined and elongated (main length of about 70µm) hexagonal morphology with Ca/P ratio of 1.66.
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