Effect of barium-coated halloysite nanotube addition on the cytocompatibility, mechanical and contrast properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) cement

Abstract

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were investigated as a platform for tunable nanoparticle composition and enhanced opacity in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement. Halloysite has been widely used to increase the mechanical properties of various polymer matrices, in stark contrast to other fillers such as barium sulfate that provide opacity but also decrease mechanical strength. The present work describes a dry deposition method for successively fabricating barium sulfate nanoparticles onto the exterior surface of HNTs. A sintering process was used to coat the HNTs in barium sulfate. Barium sulfate-coated HNTs were then added to PMMA bone cement and the samples were tested for mechanical strength and tailored opacity correlated with the fabrication ratio and the amount of barium sulfate-coated HNTs added. The potential cytotoxic effect of barium-coated HNTs in PMMA cement was also tested on osteosarcoma cells. Barium-coated HNTs were found to be completely cytocompatible, and cell proliferation was not inhibited after exposure to the barium-coated HNTs embedded in PMMA cement. We demonstrate a simple method for the creation of barium-coated nanoparticles that imparted improved contrast and material properties to native PMMA. An easy and efficient method for coating clay nanotubes offers the potential for enhanced imaging by radiologists or orthopedic surgeons.

The Horizons of Medical Mineralogy: Structure-Bioactivity Relationship and Biomedical Applications of Halloysite Nanoclay

“…137 HNTs coated with barium were embedded into poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement, which enhanced the strength and radio-impermeability, improving image quality. 138 In addition, the equilibrium swelling ratio, porosity, and pore size of polyacrylamide (PAAm)/PVA-based hydrogels supplemented with HNTs were decreased, which reduced medium penetration and slowed down the degradation process. 139 By adding thiolated HNTs, the mechanical strength and cross-linking density of the hydrogel were increased, and the swelling rate was reduced.…”

“…The addition of HNTs to methacrylic gelatin hydrogel enhanced mechanical properties and promoted bone regeneration in rat skull defect models (Figure b) . HNTs coated with barium were embedded into poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement, which enhanced the strength and radio-impermeability, improving image quality . In addition, the equilibrium swelling ratio, porosity, and pore size of polyacrylamide (PAAm)/PVA-based hydrogels supplemented with HNTs were decreased, which reduced medium penetration and slowed down the degradation process .…”

Metallizing the Surface of Halloysite Nanotubes—A Review

“…Generating and storing electricity has tremendous impact on technological advancements and human civilization. Henry Moissan demonstrated the potential use of electrolysis in industry and science when he isolated fluorine [25]. The phenomenon of electrolysis was a crucial chemical method that helped shape chemistry and manufacturing.…”

Halloysite nanotubes – the nano-bio interface

“…HNTs, which acted both as the resin bulk and as a nanocarrier for antibiotics also sustained the release of barium sulphate (radiopaque agent). [161][162][163] In other examples the incorporation of HNTs into bioscaffolds made of chitosan, agarose and gelatin enhanced scaffold strength, and adhesion to cells. In vivo studies in rats showed neoangiogenesis at the scaffold proximity without any inflammatory reactions.…”