title: Boron nitride nanotube reinforced hydroxyapatite composite: mechanical and tribological performance and in-vitro biocompatibility to osteoblasts.
abstract: This study proposes boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) reinforced hydroxyapatite (HA) as a novel composite material for orthopedic implant applications. The spark plasma sintered (SPS) composite structure shows higher density compared to HA. Minimal lattice mismatch between HA and BNNT leads to coherent bonding and strong interface. HA-4 wt% BNNT composite offers excellent mechanical properties-120% increment in elastic modulus, 129% higher hardness and 86% more fracture toughness, as compared to HA. Improvements in the hardness and fracture toughness are related to grain refinement and crack bridging by BNNTs. HA-BNNT composite also shows 75% improvement in the wear resistance. The wear morphology suggests localized plastic deformation supported by the sliding of outer walls of BNNT. Osteoblast proliferation and cell viability show no adverse effect of BNNT addition. HA-BNNT composite is, thus, envisioned as a potential material for stronger orthopedic implants.
authors.affiliation: Nanomechanics and Nanotribology Lab and High Temperature Tribology Lab, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
authors.forename: Debrupa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lahiri
authors.forename: Virendra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Benaduce
authors.forename: Sudipta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001896:Boron Compounds; C017282:boron nitride; D017886:Durapatite