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Fabrication of interconnected microporous biomaterials with high hydroxyapatite nanoparticle loading
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Fabrication of interconnected microporous biomaterials with high hydroxyapatite nanoparticle loading

Wei Zhang, Donggang Yao, Qingwei Zhang, Jack G Zhou and Peter I Lelkes
Biofabrication, v 2(3), pp 035006-035006
Sep 2010
PMID: 20823506

Abstract

Biopolymers - chemistry Lactic Acid - chemistry Nanoparticles - chemistry Biocompatible Materials - chemistry Polyglycolic Acid - chemistry Prostheses and Implants Durapatite - chemistry Porosity Polystyrenes - chemistry
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is known to promote osteogenicity and enhance the mechanical properties of biopolymers. However, incorporating a large amount of HA into a porous biopolymer still remains a challenge. In the present work, a new method was developed to produce interconnected microporous poly(glycolic-co-lactic acid) (PLGA) with high HA nanoparticle loading. First, a ternary blend comprising PLGA/PS (polystyrene)/HA (40/40/20 wt%) was prepared by melt blending under conditions for formation of a co-continuous phase structure. Next, a dynamic annealing stage under small-strain oscillation was applied to the blend to facilitate nanoparticle redistribution. Finally, the PS phase was sacrificially extracted, leaving a porous matrix. The results from different characterizations suggested that the applied small-strain oscillation substantially accelerated the migration of HA nanoparticles during annealing from the PS phase to the PLGA phase; nearly all HA particles were uniformly presented in the PLGA phase after a short period of annealing. After dissolution of the PS phase, a PLGA material with interconnected microporous structure was successfully produced, with a high HA loading above 30 wt%. The mechanisms beneath the experimental observations, particularly on the enhanced particle migration process, were discussed, and strategies for producing highly particle loaded biopolymers with interconnected microporous structures were proposed.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Biomedical
Materials Science, Biomaterials
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