On mechanical properties and bioactivity of PVDF-BCP composites

Abstract

A ceramic/polymer biocomposite with high potential for multifunctional practical applications in bone tissue engineering was synthesized by using a well-known piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and a high bioactive biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic obtained from recycled fish bones. High-bioactivity was observed for the PVDF-BCP composite when it was subjected to conditions that simulate the animal body once a very thick apatite layer (9 μm) was grown on its surface in an immersion experiment (7 days) in simulated body fluid. The structural characteristics of the PVDF-BCP composite showed similarities with highly bioactive young animal bones, overlapped with PVDF polymorphic phases. Mechanical tests revealed properties very similar to those of the human bone tissue with a resistance strength reaching 80 MPa. Together, all these factors indicated a very promising material for application in osseous implants/replacement with postoperative recovery controlled/ accelerated by external stimuli.

A Review on Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Materials Derived from Fish Discards

“…Zhang et al sintered fish bones in a furnace at three different temperatures of 700, 800, and 900 °C, respectively (heating rate of 5 °C/min), in air for 1 h. This study confirmed the β-TCP content in fish bones calcined at 900 °C and revealed the mechanism of changing the composition ratio of BCP by heating [32]. The same calcination temperature of 900 After a literature survey on the methods applied to produce BCP powders from fish discards, one can conclude that the most common method used for the extraction of these materials is thermal calcination [102][103][104][105] even if other methods, such as hydrothermal transformation [106], aqueous precipitation [92], laser irradiation [90], alkaline [84,107], and enzymatic hydrolysis [108], can be used as well.…”

“…These synthesis techniques can be generally classified into four categories, as follows: dry methods, wet chemical synthesis, high-temperature processing, and synthesis from biogenic resources (Figure 2) [101]. After a literature survey on the methods applied to produce BCP powders from fish discards, one can conclude that the most common method used for the extraction of these materials is thermal calcination [102][103][104][105] even if other methods, such as hydrothermal transformation [106], aqueous precipitation [92], laser irradiation [90], alkaline [84,107], and enzymatic hydrolysis [108], can be used as well.…”

“…The combination of natural CaPs, in general, and BCP, in particular, with other materials, in terms of biocompatible alloys, ceramics, and polymers, represents an alternative way towards the development of new biomaterials with improved performance and mechanical responses with the aim to mimic those of natural bones and tissues [95,105,110].…”

“…Silva et al [105] obtained BCP powders from Pintado fish bones (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) after applying a calcination temperature of 900 • C for 8 h. The resulted products were milled for 8 h at 300 rpm [104]. The as-obtained BCP powder was combined with a piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is characterized by a high proliferation of osteoblast cells [112].…”

Biopersistence of fibrous thermal insulations (AES fibers) after heat exposure using intratracheal instillation technique

“…Because of energy costs, environmental concerns and with the dangers associated with the use of asbestos, manmade vitreous fibers (MMVF) such as refractory ceramic fibers (RCF) and alkaline earth silicate (AES) wools have been used. Reasons for their employment are directly linked to their low density, low thermal conductivity, low shrinkage, high resilience and high thermal shock resistance [1,2]. These characteristics allow their use as wear linings in a great variety of equipment such as tempering and reheating furnaces and steel ladle covers.…”