Interfacial Design and Construction of Carbon Fiber Composites by Strongly Bound Hydroxyapatite Nanobelt-Carbon Nanotubes for Biological Applications

Abstract

Carbon fiber composites are promising candidates for orthopedic implant applications, which calls for a combination of high mechanical strength and outstanding biotribological properties. In this work, hydroxyapatite nanobelts-carbon nanotubes (HN) were designed and constructed into carbon fiber–anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (DCPA)–epoxy composites (CDE) for simultaneously optimizing the mechanical and biotribological properties via the combined methods of pulse electrochemical deposition and injected chemical vapor deposition. HN provides more nucleation sites for the growth of DCPA and favors the infiltration of epoxy. In addition, HN optimizes the fiber/matrix interface by generating strong interfacial mechanical interlocking. Owing to the synergism of a strongly bound HN, the mechanical and biotribological properties of CDE have demonstrated significant improvement. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of HN-modified CDE (HN-CDE) increase by 52 and 170% compared with CDE, respectively. The wear rate and average friction coefficient of HN-CDE are decreased by 42% and increased by 45% compared with those of CDE, respectively. HN-CDE, with superior mechanical strength and biotribological properties, has high potential as a bone substitute and orthopedic implant.

Calcium Orthophosphate (CaPO4) Containing Composites for Biomedical Applications: Formulations, Properties, and Applications

“…To conclude the carbon issue, carbon fibers of very small sizes [1113][1114][1115], as well as diamonds [1116,1117], graphene and graphene oxide [171,177,178,197,689,885,1118,1119], fullerenes [848] and their derivatives [498,1120], carbon quantum dots [672,673], and other allotropes of the nanosized carbons were used to reinforce the CaPO 4 bioceramics [1092]. More complicated multicomponent formulations, such as HA nanobelts/carbon nanotubes constructed into carbon fiber/DCPA/epoxy biocomposites, have been developed as well [1121]. Additional details on CaPO 4 /carbon biocomposites and hybrid formulations are available in the excellent recent review [1092].…”

Comprehensive Review on Biomaterials and Their Inherent Behaviors for Hip Repair Applications

“…226 However, their bonding strength, wear resistance, and fatigue crack resistance decrease after a few years because the carbon debris ejection on periprosthetic tissues encouraged pathological reactions in the host body. 227 In order to enhance the mechanical characteristics of these polymers, carbon fiber reinforcing has attracted significant interest in the early stages but, in recent years, has yet to be clinically motivated in THA. 224 On the other hand, the researchers handled the self-reinforcement approach on UHMWPE with a nonoriented matrix, which produced constructive mechanical and biocompatibility results.…”

“…In this regard, adding carbon fiber can enhance the compression strength, stiffness, creep, and fatigue resistance, resulting in more favorable performances for UHMWPE acetabular cups . However, their bonding strength, wear resistance, and fatigue crack resistance decrease after a few years because the carbon debris ejection on periprosthetic tissues encouraged pathological reactions in the host body . In order to enhance the mechanical characteristics of these polymers, carbon fiber reinforcing has attracted significant interest in the early stages but, in recent years, has yet to be clinically motivated in THA .…”

Hydroxyapatite as a Material for Transplantology: Clinical Experience and Prospects of Application

“…These include composite coatings, including aluminum-containing coatings [145], for a variety of alloys [146][147][148] including aluminum alloys [149], and for some polymer implants [150]. The mentioned range of morphological diversity also includes hydroxyapatite nanotubes [151] and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles [152]. However, most commonly, nanoparticles, microparticles and other dispersed forms of hydroxyapatite are used as drug delivery agents [129,153,154].…”