title: Biodegradable ceramic-polymer composites for biomedical applications: A review.
abstract: The present work focuses on the state-of-the-art of biodegradable ceramic-polymer composites with particular emphasis on influence of various types of ceramic fillers on properties of the composites. First, the general needs to create composite materials for medical applications are briefly introduced. Second, various types of polymeric materials used as matrices of ceramic-containing composites and their properties are reviewed. Third, silica nanocomposites and their material as well as biological characteristics are presented. Fourth, different types of glass fillers including silicate, borate and phosphate glasses and their effect on a number of properties of the composites are described. Fifth, wollastonite as a composite modifier and its effect on composite characteristics are discussed. Sixth, composites containing calcium phosphate ceramics, namely hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate and biphasic calcium phosphate are presented. Finally, general possibilities for control of properties of composite materials are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, 30 Mickiewicza Ave., 30-059 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: dziadek@agh.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dziadek
authors.affiliation: AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Department of Biomaterials, 30 Mickiewicza Ave., 30-059 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: stodolak@agh.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stodolak-Zych
authors.affiliation: AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, 30 Mickiewicza Ave., 30-059 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: cholewa@agh.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cholewa-Kowalska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063566:Biodegradable Plastics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D063566:Biodegradable Plastics; C023506:Glass ceramics
keywords: Bioglasses; Calcium phosphate ceramics; Silica; Wollastonite