Synthesis and properties of hydroxyapatite/poly- L-lactide composite biomaterials

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 20; no. 9; pp. 809 - 816
• Main Authors: IGNJATOVIC, N, TOMIC, S, DAKIC, M, MILJKOVIC, M, PLAVSIC, M, USKOKOVIC, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials - chemical synthesis; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocomposite; Biological and medical sciences; Biosynthesis; Calcium hydroxyapatite; Composite materials; Compressive strength; Crystal microstructure; Designing; Durapatite - chemical synthesis; Durapatite - chemistry; Hot pressing; Hot Temperature; Initiators (chemical); Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microstructure; Molecular Weight; Monomers; Phosphate minerals; Poly- L-lactide; Polyesters; Polyesters - chemical synthesis; Polyesters - chemistry; Prostheses and Implants; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Thermodynamics; X-Ray Diffraction; Designing; Biocomposite; Microstructure; Poly- L-lactide; Calcium hydroxyapatite; Implanted material; Parameter estimation; Process improvement; Surgery; Hydroxyapatite; Biomaterial; Lactic acid; Chemical synthesis; Composite material; Physicochemical properties; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0142-9612(98)00234-8

Calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) and poly- L-lactide (PLLA) were synthesized chemically. The obtained HAp was of high purity and, after special thermal treatment, of high crystallinity as well. Synthesis of PLLA was performed using L-lactide as a monomer and nontoxic initiator. In this way a polymer of large molar weight (about 400 000) was obtained. The HAp and PLLA obtained were used as constituents of the HAp/PLLA composite biomaterial, a potential material for implants. The composite was obtained by mixing completely dissolved PLLA with granules of HAp. The composite was compacted by cold and hot pressing at pressures of 49.0–490.5 MPa and temperatures of 20–184°C. The material obtained at optimum process parameters had a density of 99.6% and compressive strength of 93.2 MPa.