title: Chitosan-nanohydroxyapatite composites: mechanical, thermal and bio-compatibility studies.
abstract: Bionanocomposites of chitosan were prepared with nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as coupling agent. The tensile and flexural properties for 8% nHA loading showed optimal values. Compressive modulus also considerably increased from 525.16 MPa (0% nHA) to 1326.5 MPa with 10% nHA. Surface functionalization of fillers along with the addition of HEMA as coupling agent led to enhanced mechanical properties similar to human bone. The mechanical properties were further analyzed using micromechanical theories which indicated good interfacial adhesion between the matrix and fillers. The composites showed cytocompatibility. Multiple layers of apatite formation have been observed when the nanocomposites were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF). Hence, these composites showed potential for bone substitute applications.
authors.affiliation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), SRC, Bangalore 560071, India.
authors.forename: Pratik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), SRC, Bangalore 560071, India. Electronic address: sailaja.bhattacharya@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R R N
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sailaja
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D048271:Chitosan; D017886:Durapatite
keywords: Apatite formation; Bionanocomposite; Cytocompatibility; Mechanical properties; Nanohydroxyapatite