Enhancement mechanisms of graphene in nano-58S bioactive glass scaffold: mechanical and biological performance

Abstract

Graphene is a novel material and currently popular as an enabler for the next-generation nanocomposites. Here, we report the use of graphene to improve the mechanical properties of nano-58S bioactive glass for bone repair and regeneration. And the composite scaffolds were fabricated by a homemade selective laser sintering system. Qualitative and quantitative analysis demonstrated the successful incorporation of graphene into the scaffold without obvious structural damage and weight loss. The optimum compressive strength and fracture toughness reached 48.65 ± 3.19 MPa and 1.94 ± 0.10 MPa·m1/2 with graphene content of 0.5 wt%, indicating significant improvements by 105% and 38% respectively. The mechanisms of pull-out, crack bridging, crack deflection and crack tip shielding were found to be responsible for the mechanical enhancement. Simulated body fluid and cell culture tests indicated favorable bioactivity and biocompatibility of the composite scaffold. The results suggest a great potential of graphene/nano-58S composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications.

Controlled release of drugs in electrosprayed nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering

“…Recently many research works have been focused on improving the scaffold properties using carbon nanotubes, carbon allotrope graphene and polysaccharides such as cellulose [78,79].…”

Boron nitride nanosheets reinforced glass matrix composites

“…The interface bonding between the matrix and the filler plays a key role in determining the filler's pullout as the pullout occurs when the shear stress is higher than the interfacial bonding between the filler and the matrix. 41 Owing to the pulling out of the embedded nanosheets in the matrix, friction was generated between the interface of BNNS and BS glass, which helped in matrix relaxation and, in other way, contributed to the enhancement in toughening. 18,41 It was also observed that sometimes the outer BNNSs that were directly interacting with the BS glass remained attached to the matrix, while the inner BNNSs were only pulled out, leading us to believe that there was a strong interaction between the BNNS and BS interface while weak van der Waals interaction in between the BNNSs.…”

“…41 Owing to the pulling out of the embedded nanosheets in the matrix, friction was generated between the interface of BNNS and BS glass, which helped in matrix relaxation and, in other way, contributed to the enhancement in toughening. 18,41 It was also observed that sometimes the outer BNNSs that were directly interacting with the BS glass remained attached to the matrix, while the inner BNNSs were only pulled out, leading us to believe that there was a strong interaction between the BNNS and BS interface while weak van der Waals interaction in between the BNNSs. All the toughening mechanisms described contributed effectively to the matrix in dissipation of deformation energy during fracture propagation and increase in the fracture toughness.…”

Graphene and graphene oxide as nanomaterials for medicine and biology application

“…Certain glass-ceramic reactive materials also have the ability to bind to bones and they are biodegradable as well [120]. Addition of 0.5 wt% of graphene into 58S bioglass via laser sintering increases the fracture toughness and strength [121]. Notably, the properties of HAp and bioglass can be influenced by rGO which depends on the concentration.…”