title: Biodegradable composites with aligned hydroxyapatite nanoneedles.
abstract: We prepared an anisotropic bone graft composite to mimic the hierarchical structure of the natural bone in which aligned hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystals deposit along collagen fibers. To approach the modulus and strength of the bone, we incorporated synthesized HA nanoneedles and melt drawn poly(L-lactic acid) fibers in our composite as reinforcing components. Their preferred orientation was induced via a modified pultrusion process. The HA orientation distribution was examined using wide angle X-ray diffraction. Micromechanical Halpin-Tsai model predictions considering the amount, shape, and orientation distribution of HA were compared, favorably, with the experimental observations.
authors: Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, USA. tobersun@moldex3d.com
authors: Shih-Po
authors: SP
authors: Sun
authors: Mei
authors: M
authors: Wei
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Olson
authors: Montgomery T
authors: MT
authors: Shaw
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D017886:Durapatite