Solidification behavior of PLLA/nHA nanocomposites

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 70; no. 13; pp. 1813 - 1819
• Main Authors: Delabarde, C., Plummer, C.J.G., Bourban, P.-E., Månson, J.-A.E.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.11.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Nano composites; A. Nano particles; Applied sciences; B Thermal properties; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical materials; Bones; Composites; D. Differential scanning calorimetry; D. Optical microscopy; Differential scanning calorimetry; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Medical sciences; Melts; Nanocomposites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Solid phases; Solidification; Spherulites; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; D. Optical microscopy; A. Nano composites; B Thermal properties; D. Differential scanning calorimetry; A. Nano particles; Optically active polymer; Temperature effect; Crystallinity; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Lactone polymer; Composite material; Thermal properties; Structure processing relationship; Lactic acid polymer; Spherulites; Aliphatic polymer; Concentration effect; Biomaterial; Nanocomposite; Crystal morphology; Isothermal crystallization
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.04.024

As part of a broader effort to establish processing-structure–property relationships in PLLA/nHA, which is currently under consideration for bioresorbable scaffolds for bone repair, hot stage optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry have been used to investigate the solidification behavior of a series of medical grade PLLA/nHA nanocomposites. The presence of the nHA resulted in an increase in the number of spherulites per unit volume during isothermal crystallization, but there was a substantial decrease in the spherulite growth rate with increasing nHA content in the temperature range 100–130°C, argued to be associated with a significant increase in the melt viscosity in the presence of the nHA. The consequences for the global solidification rates and the phase structure of the PLLA/nHA nanocomposites are discussed.