title: Mechanical reinforcement of diopside bone scaffolds with carbon nanotubes.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes are ideal candidates for the mechanical reinforcement of ceramic due to their excellent mechanical properties, high aspect ratio and nanometer scale diameter. In this study, the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the mechanical properties of diopside (Di) scaffolds fabricated by selective laser sintering were investigated. Results showed that compressive strength and fracture toughness improved significantly with increasing MWCNTs from 0.5 to 2 wt %, and then declined with increasing MWCNTs to 5 wt %. Compressive strength and fracture toughness were enhanced by 106% and 21%, respectively. The reinforcing mechanisms were identified as crack deflection, MWCNTs crack bridging and pull-out. Further, the scaffolds exhibited good apatite-formation ability and supported adhesion and proliferation of cells in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen Research Institute, Central South University, Shenzhen 518057, China. shuai@csu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Cijun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shuai
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of High Performance Complex Manufacturing, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China. liutingting@csu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Tingting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of High Performance Complex Manufacturing, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China. gaochengde@csu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Chengde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of High Performance Complex Manufacturing, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China. fengpei@csu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China. shuping@csu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Shuping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D012824:Silicic Acid; C074224:diopside