Synthesis and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite/Bioactive Glass Nanocomposite Foam and Fluorapatite/Bioactive Glass Nanocomposite Foam by Gel Casting Method as Cell Scaffold for Bone Tissue

Abstract

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterization of hydroxyapatite/bioactive glass (HA/BG) nanocomposite foam and fluorapatite/bioactive glass (FA/BG) nanocomposite foam by gel casting method as cell scaffold for bone tissue engineering and evaluating their bioactivity using in vitro methods. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Archimedes method and universal testing machine were used in order to evaluate specific surface area, phase composition, shape, size and interconnectivity of pores, size and shape of the constructed foam particles, porosity measurement and compressive strength of prepared nanocomposite foams, respectively. Mean particle size of HA/BG and FA/BG nanocomposite foams were 78 and 42 nm respectively with average pore size ranges was from 100 to 400 µm for two compositions. The maximum values of compressive strength and elastic modulus of nanocomposite foams were 0.22 and 17.8 Mpa for HA/BG and 0.13 and 22 MPa for FA/BG, respectively. The mean values of the apparent and true porosity were calculated 31 and 78% for HA/BG and 42 and 77% for FA/BG, respectively. The results of in vitro immersion of foams in simulated body fluid (SBF) demonstrate the formation of apatite on the surface of foams that indicating their bioactivity. The prepared nanocomposite foams in this research are appropriate substitutes for the bone defects in tissue engineering due to their characteristics. Moreover, using gel casting method to introduce these bioceramics provides the possibility to construct foams by molding or 3D printing in a desired shapes in accordance to patient's needs with high dimensional accuracy.

A comparative study on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the hydroxyapatite‐bioactive glass and fluorapatite‐bioactive glass nanocomposite foams as tissue scaffold for bone repair

“…For synthesis of HA/BG and FA/BG nanocomposite foams, the gel‐casting method was applied. For particle size determination and bioactivity assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SBF immersion test were used as previously described …”

“…For particle size determination and bioactivity assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SBF immersion test were used as previously described. 18 Prepared nanocomposite foams were used to form a suspension of 100 mg/mL (w/v). Before making suspension, nanocomposite foams were autoclaved and then crushed and manually powdered in a mortar.…”

Role of sintering temperature dependent crystallization of bioactive glasses on erythrocyte and cytocompatibility

“…Vickers hardness test was carried out according to C 1327-03 ASTM standard by Vickers microhardness tester Wilson Wolpert, Germany with the load of 0.98 N. Biocompatibility properties were analysed by haemolytic assay with erythrocytes and cell proliferation assay using MG-63 (osteosarcoma) cell line. Apparent porosity was estimated using Archimedes technique as reported by Seyedmajidi et al [24]. All the three sintered and as-prepared bioglass pellets (50 mg samples were used to make pellets by pelletizer with 80 bar pressure) were immersed in boiling water for 3 h. Dry weight, suspended weight and saturated weight of the bioglass pellets were measured before and after immersion to determine the porosity of the samples.…”

Evaluation of antibacterial properties of hydroxyapatite/bioactive glass and fluorapatite/bioactive glass nanocomposite foams as a cellular scaffold of bone tissue

“…According to simulated body fluid biochemical profile changes, in result of immersion of HA/BG and FA/BG at 37°C in our previous study[ 20 ], formation of the hydroxycarbonate apatite layer (natural apatite) on the surface of the biomaterials indicates their biocompatibility. By increasing the immersion time the concentration of calcium increases due to its higher release rate than condensation.…”

“…The specific surface area and particle size of prepared nanocomposites were specified by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. [ 20 ]…”