Synthesis and properties of hydroxyapatite/poly-L-lactide composite biomaterials

Biomaterials. 1999 May;20(9):809-16. doi: 10.1016/s0142-9612(98)00234-8.

Abstract

Calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) and poly-L-lactide (PLLA) were synthesized chemically. The obtained HAp was of high purity and, after special thermal treatment, of high crystallinity as well. Synthesis of PLLA was performed using L-lactide as a monomer and nontoxic initiator. In this way a polymer of large molar weight (about 400,000) was obtained. The HAp and PLLA obtained were used as constituents of the HAp/PLLA composite biomaterial, a potential material for implants. The composite was obtained by mixing completely dissolved PLLA with granules of HAp. The composite was compacted by cold and hot pressing at pressures of 49.0-490.5 MPa and temperatures of 20-184 degrees C. The material obtained at optimum process parameters had a density of 99.6% and compressive strength of 93.2 MPa.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Durapatite / chemical synthesis*
  • Durapatite / chemistry
  • Hot Temperature
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Weight
  • Polyesters / chemical synthesis*
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Thermodynamics
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • poly(lactide)
  • Durapatite