title: Nano-apatite/polymer composites: mechanical and physicochemical characteristics.
abstract: Hydrothermally synthesized acicular nano-apatite (Nap) was used as filler to make composites with a polyethylene glycol/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEG/PBT) block copolymer (Polyactive 70:30). The Nap had a particle diameter of 9-25 nm and a length of 80-200 nm. The mechanical properties and the physiochemical characteristics of the composites, such as Young's modulus, swelling degree in water and the calcification behaviour, have been determined. It was found that Nap had a strong ability to promote the calcification of composites when incorporated into Polyactive 70:30, while poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) coating of Nap had an adverse effect on the calcification of composites, presumably due to the formation of complexes between PAA and PEG segments. Nap had a prominent stiffening effect for Polyactive 70:30 in the dry state, but had a poor stiffening effect for composites in an aqueous environment due to the hygroscopic nature and/or the formation of aggregates. PAA coating on Nap had almost no additional effect on the mechanical properties of composites either in the dry state or in an aqueous environment. To reinforce the polymer by Nap, achieving a more homogeneous dispersion of Nap in the polymer matrix and surface modifications to render the powders less hygroscopic appear to be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials Research Group, Leiden University, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de Wijn
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van Blitterswijk
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003188:Composite Resins; D019563:Mechanics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001031:Apatites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003188:Composite Resins; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water; C041733:poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C006903:carbopol 940