Comparative study of apatite formation on CaSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics in simulated body fluids with different carbonate concentrations

Apatite formation on CaSiO₃ ceramics was investigated using two different simulated body fluids (SBF) proposed by Kokubo (1990) and Tas (2000) and three sample/SBF (S/S) ratios (1.0, 2.5 and 8.3 mg/ml) at 36.5°C for 1–25 days. The CaSiO₃ ceramic was prepared by firing coprecipitated gel with Ca/Si = 0.91 at 1400°C. The bulk density was 2.14 g/cm³ and the relative density about 76%. The two SBF solutions contain different concentrations of HCO₃^– and Cl^– ions, the concentrations of which are closer to human blood plasma in the Tas SBF formulation than in the Kokubo formulation. The pH values in the former solution are also more realistic. The CaSiO₃ ceramics show apatite formation in SBF (Kokubo) after soaking for only 1 day at all S/S ratios whereas different phases were formed at each S/S ratio in SBF (Tas). The crystalline phases formed were mainly apatite at S/S = 1.0 mg/ml, carbonate-type apatite at 2.5 mg/ml and calcite at 8.3 mg/ml. At higher S/S ratios the increase in the Ca concentration became higher while the P concentration became lower in the reacted SBF. These changes in SBF concentrations and increasing pH occurred at higher S/S ratios, producing more favorable conditions in the SBF for the formation of carbonate bearing phases, finally leading to the formation of calcite instead of apatite in the higher HCO₃^– ion concentration SBF (Tas). Apatite is, however, formed in the lower HCO₃^– ion concentration SBF (Kokubo) even though the Ca and P concentrations change in a similar manner to SBF (Tas).     

Bioactivity of CaSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites prepared by various surface loading methods of CaSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> powder

Mixing bioactive ceramic powders with polymers is an effective method for generating bioactivity to the polymer-matrix composites but it is necessary to incorporate up to 40 vol% of bioactive ceramic powder. However, such a high mixing ratio offsets the advantages of the flexibility and formability of polymer matrix and it would be highly advantageous to lower the mixing ratio. Since surface loading of ceramic powders in the polymer is thought to be an effective way of reducing the mixing ratio of the ceramic powder while maintaining bioactive activity, CaSiO₃/poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared by three methods; (1) casting, (2) spin coating and (3) hot pressing. In methods (1) and (2), a suspension was prepared by dissolving PLA in chloroform and dispersing CaSiO₃ powder in it. The suspension was cast and dried to form a film in the case of method (1) while it was spin-coated on a PLA substrate in method (2). In method (3), CaSiO₃ powder was surface loaded on to a PLA substrate by hot-pressing. The bioactivity of these samples was investigated in vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF). Apatite formation was not observed in the samples prepared by method (1) but some apatite formation was achieved by mixing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the PLA, producing a porous polymer matrix. In method (2), apatite was clearly observed after soaking for 7 days. Enhanced apatite formation was observed in method (3), the thickness of the resulting apatite layers becoming about 20 μm after soaking for 14 days. Since the amount of CaSiO₃ powder used in these samples was only ≤0.4 vol%, it is concluded that this preparation method is very effective in generating bioactivity in polymer-matrix composites by loading with only very small amounts of ceramic powder.     

Bioactivity of CaSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites prepared by various surface loading methods of CaSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> powder

Mixing bioactive ceramic powders with polymers is an effective method for generating bioactivity to the polymer-matrix composites but it is necessary to incorporate up to 40 vol% of bioactive ceramic powder. However, such a high mixing ratio offsets the advantages of the flexibility and formability of polymer matrix and it would be highly advantageous to lower the mixing ratio. Since surface loading of ceramic powders in the polymer is thought to be an effective way of reducing the mixing ratio of the ceramic powder while maintaining bioactive activity, CaSiO₃/poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared by three methods; (1) casting, (2) spin coating and (3) hot pressing. In methods (1) and (2), a suspension was prepared by dissolving PLA in chloroform and dispersing CaSiO₃ powder in it. The suspension was cast and dried to form a film in the case of method (1) while it was spin-coated on a PLA substrate in method (2). In method (3), CaSiO₃ powder was surface loaded on to a PLA substrate by hot pressing. The bioactivity of these samples was investigated in vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF). Apatite formation was not observed in the samples prepared by method (1) but some apatite formation was achieved by mixing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the PLA, producing a porous polymer matrix. In method (2), apatite was clearly observed after soaking for 7 days. Enhanced apatite formation was observed in method (3), the thickness of the resulting apatite layers becoming about 20 μm after soaking for 14 days. Since the amount of CaSiO₃ powder used in these samples was only ≤0.4 vol%, it is concluded that this preparation method is very effective in generating bioactivity in polymer-matrix composites by loading with only very small amounts of ceramic powder.     

Bioactivity and mechanical properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)–CaO–SiO2 hybrids with different calcium contents

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)–CaO–SiO₂ hybrids with starting compositions containing PDMS/(Si(OC₂H₅)₄+PDMS) weight ratio=0.30, H₂O/Si(OC₂H₅)₄ molar ratio=2, and Ca(NO₃)₂/Si(OC₂H₅)₄ molar ratios=0–0.2, were prepared by the sol–gel method. The apatite-forming ability of the hybrids increased with increasing calcium content in the Ca(NO₃)₂/Si(OC₂H₅)₄ molar ratio range 0–0.1. The hybrids with a Ca(NO₃)₂/Si(OC₂H₅)₄ molar ratio range 0.1–0.2 formed apatite on their surfaces in a simulated body fluid (SBF) within 12 h. The hybrid with a Ca(NO₃)₂/Si(OC₂H₅)₄ molar ratio of 0.10 showed an excellent apatite-forming ability in SBF with a low release of silicon into SBF. It also showed mechanical properties analogous to those of human cancellous bones. This hybrid is expected to be useful as a new type of bioactive material.     

Composition and structure of apatite formed on organic polymer in simulated body fluid with a high content of carbonate ion

Apatite layer was formed on polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) substrate by the following biomimetic process. The PET substrate was placed on granular particles of a CaO, SiO₂-based glass in simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma to form apatite nuclei on their surfaces. The apatite nuclei was then grown into a continuous layer by subsequently soaking the substrate in SBF under air or CO₂ atmosphere in which CO₂ partial pressure in the ambient was adjusted to 14.8 kPa to increase the content of carbonate ion to a level nearly equal to that of blood plasma. The increase in the content of carbonate ions in SBF changed the Ca/P atomic ratio of the apatite from 1.51 to 1.63, content of CO₃ ^2- ions from 2.64 to 4.56 wt %, and lattice constants a from 94.32 to 94.23 nm and c from 68.70 to 68.83 nm, respectively. The Ca/P ratio and lattice constants of the apatite formed in SBF under CO₂ atmosphere were approximately identical to those of bone apatite, i.e. Ca/P atomic ratio 1.65, content of CO₃ ^2- ion 5.80 wt % and lattice constants a 94.20 and c 68.80 nm. This indicates that an apatite with composition and structure nearly identical to those of bone apatite can be produced in SBF by adjusting its ion concentrations including the content of carbonate ions to be equal to those of blood plasma.     

Apatite bone cement reinforced with calcium silicate fibers

Several research efforts have been made in the attempt to reinforce calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) with polymeric and carbon fibers. Due to their low compatibility with the cement matrix, results were not satisfactory. In this context, calcium silicate fibers (CaSiO₃) may be an alternative material to overcome the main drawback of reinforced CPCs since, despite of their good mechanical properties, they may interact chemically with the CPC matrix. In this work CaSiO₃ fibers, with aspect ratio of 9.6, were synthesized by a reactive molten salt synthesis and used as reinforcement in apatite cement. 5 wt.% of reinforcement addition has increased the compressive strength of the CPC by 250 % (from 14.5 to 50.4 MPa) without preventing the cement to set. Ca and Si release in samples containing fibers could be explained by CaSiO₃ partial hydrolysis which leads to a quick increase in Ca concentration and in silica gel precipitation. The latter may be responsible for apatite precipitation in needle like form during cement setting reaction. The material developed presents potential properties to be employed in bone repair treatment.     

Preparation of bioactive flexible poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO)–CaO–Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> hybrids

Poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO)–CaO–Ta₂O₅ hybrids were prepared by hydrolysis and polycondensation of triethoxysilane-functionalized PTMO (Si–PTMO), tantalum ethoxide (Ta(OEt)₅) and CaCl₂. In the system CaO-free PTMO–Ta₂O₅, Si–PTMO/Ta(OEt)₅ weight ratios were 30/70, 40/60 and 50/50 (hybrids PT30Ca0, PT40Ca0 and PT50Ca0, respectively). In the system PTMO–CaO–Ta₂O₅, the Si–PTMO/Ta(OEt)₅ weight ratio was 40/60 and CaCl₂/Ta(OEt)₅ mole ratios were 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 (hybrids PT40Ca5, PT40Ca10 and PT40Ca15, respectively). Crack-free transparent monolithic hybrids were obtained for all the examined compositions except for PT30Ca0. Even CaO-free hybrids PT40Ca0 and PT50Ca0 formed apatite on their surfaces in a simulated body fluid (SBF) within 14 days. Hybrid PT40Ca0 showed higher mechanical strength, which was increased by soaking in SBF, and larger strain to failure than human cancellous bone. The CaO-containing hybrids showed higher apatite-forming ability than the CaO-free hybrids, and its apatite-forming ability increased with increasing CaO content. Hybrids PT40Ca10 and PT40Ca15 formed apatite within 3 days. The mechanical strength of PT40Ca15 was, however, lower than PT40Ca0 and was decreased by soaking in SBF. Thus obtained flexible bioactive CaO-free PTMO–Ta₂O₅ hybrids are expected to be useful as bone substitutes.     

Improved stability of plasma-sprayed dicalcium silicate/zirconia composite coating

Dicalcium silicate/zirconia composite coatings were produced on Ti-6Al-4V substrates using atmospheric plasma spraying. Different weight ratios of zirconia (50 wt.%, 70 wt.%, 90 wt.%) were mechanically blended with dicalcium silicate (C₂S) powders as feedstocks. The composite coatings were immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) and a Tris-HCl solution for the in vitro appraisement of stability and long-term performance in a biological environment. The ion concentration changes of Ca, Si, and P in SBF and Tris-HCl solution were monitored using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Compared to the pure C₂S coating, our results show that the dissolution rate of the composite coatings is effectively reduced and the stability is improved by the addition of zirconia. The high content of zirconia in the coatings ensures the long-term performance in biological environment, while dissolution of C₂S in the coatings results in a higher Ca ion concentration in SBF and rapid precipitation of bone-like apatite on the composite coating surfaces indicating good bioconductivity of the coatings.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> bioactivity and cytocompatibility of tricalcium silicate

The in vitro bioactivity of tricalcium silicate (Ca₃SiO₅) ceramics was investigated by the bone-like apatite-formation ability in simulated body fluid (SBF), and the cytocompatibility was evaluated through osteoblast adhesion and proliferation assay. The results show that the Ca₃SiO₅ ceramics possess bone-like apatite formation ability in SBF. In vitro cytocompatible evaluation reveals that osteoblasts adhere and spread well on the Ca₃SiO₅ ceramics, indicating good bioactivity and cytocompatibility.     

Dynamic study of calcium phosphate formation on porous HA/TCP ceramics

Bone-like apatite formation on porous calcium phosphate ceramics was investigated in static simulated body fluid (SBF) and dynamic SBF at different flowing rates. The results of a 14-day immersion in static SBF showed that the formation of bone-like apatite occurred both on the surface and in the pores of the samples. When SBF flowed at the physiological flow rate in muscle (2 ml/100 ml⋅min), bone-like apatite could be detected only in internal surface of the pores of samples. The result that bone-like apatite formation could only be found in the pores when SBF flowed at physiological flow rate was consistent with that of porous calcium phosphate ceramics implanted in vivo: osteoinduction was only detected inside the pores of the porous calcium phosphate ceramics. This result implicates that the bone-like apatite may play an important role in the osteoinduction of Ca-P materials. The dynamic model used in this study may be better than usually used static immersion model in imitating the physiological condition of bone-like apatite formation. Dynamic SBF method is very useful to understand bone-like apatite formation in vivo and the mechanism of ectopic bone formation in calcium phosphate ceramics.     

In vitro biocompatibility study of calcium phosphate glass ceramic scaffolds with different trace element doping

Porous calcium phosphate based glass ceramics (CaO-P₂O₅-Na₂O) containing different trace elements (2.0 mol% Mg, Sr and Zn respectively) were prepared by coating polyurethane foams with sol-gel derived glass slurry. After heat treatment at suitable temperatures, main phase catena hexaphosphate (Ca₄P₆O₁₉) and minor phase calcium pyrophosphate (β-Ca₂P₂O₇) crystallized from the glass matrix. These scaffolds were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) to determine the solubility and apatite formation, and mouse MC3T3-E1 cells were used to investigate the bioactivity and biocompatibility. The Sr doped scaffold showed a higher degradability than those samples containing Zn or Mg, inducing the formation of an apatite layer with a high (Sr + Ca)/P molar ratio of 1.64, whereas only some discontinuous CaP layers and spare apatite agglomerates were found on the scaffolds doped with Mg ((Mg + Ca)/P = 1.12) and Zn ((Zn + Ca)/P = 1.55) respectively. In vitro cell culture, a high degree of cell adhesion and spreading was achieved on the samples containing Sr or Zn, while only a few cells adhered to the Mg doped sample. These results implied that the bioactivity and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were not only strongly associated with the apatite forming ability, but also related with the Ca/P molar ratios of the deposits.     

A nitrogen doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> layer on Ti metal for the enhanced formation of apatite

Biomedical titanium metals subjected to gas under precisely regulated oxygen partial pressures (P_O2) from 10⁻¹⁸ to 10⁵ Pa at 973 K for 1 h were soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF), whose ion concentrations were nearly equal to those of human blood plasma, at 36.5°C for up to 7 days. The effect of oxygen partial pressures on apatite formation was assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. After heating, the weight of the oxide layer (mainly TiO₂) formed on the titanium metal was found to increase with increased oxygen partial pressure. Nitrogen (N)-doped TiO₂ (Interstitial N) was formed under a P_O2 of 10⁻¹⁴ Pa. At lower P_O2 (10⁻¹⁸ Pa), only a titanium nitride layer (TiN and Ti₂N) was formed. After soaking in SBF, apatite was detected on heat-treated titanium metal samples. The most apatite was formed, based on the growth rate calculated from the apatite coverage ratio, on the titanium metal heated under a P_O2 of 10⁻¹⁴ Pa, followed by the sample heated under a P_O2 of 10 and 10⁴ Pa (in N₂). The titanium metal heated under a P_O2 of 10⁵ Pa (in O₂) experienced far less apatite formation than the former three titanium samples. Similarly, very little weight change was observed for the titanium metal heated under a P_O2 of 10⁻¹⁸ Pa (in N₂). During the experimental observation period (5 days, 36.5°C, SBF), the following relationship held: The growth rate of apatite decreased in the order P_O2 of 10⁻¹⁴ Pa > P_O2 of 10 Pa ≥ P_O2 of 10⁴ Pa > P_O2 of 10⁵ Pa > > P_O2 of 10⁻¹⁸ Pa. These results suggest that N-doped TiO₂ (Interstitial N) strongly induces apatite formation but samples coated only with titanium nitride do not. Thus, controlling the formation of N-doped TiO₂ is expected to improve the bioactivity of biomedical titanium metal.     

Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>/TiN composites produced from TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Modified Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> powders

Si₃N₄/TiN composites have been produced by hot pressing at temperatures from 1600 to 1800°C in a nitrogen atmosphere, using silicon nitride powders prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and surface-modified with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. We examined the effect of TiO₂ content on the microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical strength of the ceramics. It is shown that titanium nitride can be formed by the reaction Si₃N₄ + TiO₂ → TiN + NO + N₂O + 3Si. The Si₃N₄/TiN composites containing 5–20% TiN have a low density, high porosity, and a bending strength of 60 MPa or lower. In Si₃N₄/TiN ceramics produced using calcium aluminates as sintering aids, the silicon nitride grains are densely packed, which ensures an increase in strength to 650 MPa.     

致密磷酸钙陶瓷在动态SBF中类骨磷灰石层形成研究

磷酸钙陶瓷植入体内后其表面类骨磷灰石层的形成是诱导成骨的先决条件．本实验在模拟体液(ｓｉｍｕｌａｔｅｄ ｂｏｄｙ ｆｌｕｉｄ,ＳＢＦ)以人体骨骼肌组织内体液的正常生理流率(２ｍＬ/１００ｍＬ·ｍｉｎ)和偏离正常生理流率流动的动态条件下,研究在动态ＳＢＦ中影响致密磷酸钙陶瓷表面类骨磷灰石层形成的因素．结果表明:在生理流率条件下,材料的粗糙表面有利于类骨磷灰石的形成,加大ＳＢＦ中Ｃａ^２＋、ＨＰＯ_４^２－离子浓度,类骨磷灰石层的形成速度加快．比起通常使用的静态浸泡试验,ＳＢＦ以生理流率流动的动态试验能够更好地模拟类骨磷灰石生长的体内环境．动态ＳＢＦ对了解类骨磷灰石形成,进而了解磷酸钙陶瓷在体内诱导成骨机理是十分有用的．     

Development of bioactive zirconium–tin alloy by combination of micropores formation and apatite nuclei deposition

In previous studies, Zr gained apatite‐forming ability by various methods; however, it took more than 7 days in simulated body fluid (SBF) to gain apatite‐forming ability. In this study, the authors developed the method to achieve apatite‐forming ability in Zr alloy within 1 day in SBF by a combination with apatite nuclei that promote apatite formation in SBF. First, Zr–Sn alloy was soaked in concentrated sulphuric acid, and pores in micro‐level were formed on the surface of Zr–Sn alloy. To attain apatite forming ability in Zr–Sn alloy, second, apatite nuclei were formed in the micropores. To evaluate apatite‐forming ability, thus‐obtained Zr–Sn alloy with apatite nuclei was soaked in SBF; hydroxyapatite formation was observed on the whole surface of the Zr–Sn alloy plates. From this result, it was clarified that higher apatite‐forming ability was attained on the apatite nuclei‐treated Zr–Sn alloy with micropores in comparison with that without micropores. When adhesive strength of formed hydroxyapatite film with respect to Zr–Sn alloy plates was measured, high‐adhesive strength of the formed apatite film was attained by forming micropores and subsequently precipitating apatite nuclei in the fabrication process because of an interlocking effect caused by hydroxyapatite formed in the micropores.Inspec keywords: precipitation, zirconium alloys, calcium compounds, bioceramics, tin alloys, adhesion, thin filmsOther keywords: apatite forming ability, micropore formation, hydroxyapatite film, bioactive zirconium‐tin alloy, apatite nuclei‐treated zirconium‐tin alloy, zirconium‐tin alloy plates, simulated body fluid, concentrated sulphuric acid, hydroxyapatite formation, adhesive strength, precipitating apatite nuclei, time 1.0 d, ZrSn, Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆ (OH)₂      

Rietveld analysis of CaCu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin films obtained by RF-sputtering

Calcium copper titanate, CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂, CCTO, thin films with polycrystalline nature have been deposited by RF sputtering on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si (100) substrates at a room temperature followed by annealing at 600 °C for 2 h in a conventional furnace. The crystalline structure and the surface morphology of the films were markedly affected by the growth conditions. Rietveld analysis reveal a CCTO film with 100 % pure perovskite belonging to a space group Im3 and pseudo-cubic structure. The XPS spectroscopy reveal that the in a reducing N₂ atmosphere a lower Cu/Ca and Ti/Ca ratio were detected, while the O₂ treatment led to an excess of Cu, due to Cu segregation of the surface forming copper oxide crystals. The film present frequency -independent dielectric properties in the temperature range evaluated, which is similar to those properties obtained in single-crystal or epitaxial thin films. The room temperature dielectric constant of the 600-nm-thick CCTO films annealed at 600 °C at 1 kHz was found to be 70. The leakage current of the MFS capacitor structure was governed by the Schottky barrier conduction mechanism and the leakage current density was lower than 10^?7 A/cm² at a 1.0 V. The current–voltage measurements on MFS capacitors established good switching characteristics.     

Dissolution behavior and bioactivity study of glass ceramic scaffolds in the system of CaO–P2O5–Na2O–ZnO prepared by sol–gel technique

Three-dimensional glass ceramic scaffolds from the system CaO–P₂O₅–Na₂O–ZnO have been prepared by coating polyurethane foams with sol–gel derived glass slurry. Main phase catena hexaphosphate (Ca₄P₆O₁₉), minor phases calcium pyrophosphate (β-Ca₂P₂O₇) and calcium metaphosphate (β-Ca(PO₃)₂) were detected in the prepared glass ceramics. In order to assess the potential use in hard tissue engineering, the dissolution and precipitation behavior of the glass ceramics was investigated in vitro after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for different periods of time, and the bioactivity and biocompatibility studies were conducted using mouse MC3T3-E1. Ca₄P₆O₁₉ phase showed a good chemical durability in SBF solution over the period time of soaking. However, there were small quantities of apatite-like deposits formed on the surfaces after soaking 28 days, exhibiting a poor ability of inducing calcification in SBF. In vitro cell culture, a high degree of cell adhesion and spreading was achieved and large number of mineralized deposits composed of Ca, P and Zn were detected in these porous scaffolds. These results confirmed the biocompatibility and bioactivity of the glass ceramics and the positive effects on mouse MC3T3-E1 cell behavior although no continuous apatite layer was formed on scaffold surfaces after soaking in SBF, and also demonstrated that Zn doped this glass ceramics could strongly stimulate the formation of mineralized deposits in vitro culture of MC3T3-E1 cells.     

Preparation of a bone-like apatite foam cement

The preparation of a porous bone-like calcium deficient apatite implant material was investigated. A novel cement system composed of an equimolar mixture of Ca₄(PO₄)₂O, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂{H₂O, and CaCO₃ was used. At a liquid/powder ratio of 0.83 ml/g low density open framework foam cements were formed due to the rapid evolution of CO₂. The initial product of the reactants was CaHPO₄{2H₂O which then reacted with Ca₄(PO₄)₂O, forming a calcium deficient carbonated apatite, upon soaking of the cement blocks in SBF. Foam-like cements were composed of a plate-like apatite due to epitaxial overgrowth and conversion of the brushite plate precursor. Cylinders of the foam cement were reinforced with an outer layer of a solid apatite cement to form a material suitable for application as a bone-section implant. © 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Synthesis of nanocomposites based on MO-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (M = Ca,Sr, Ba) glasses

This work examines the effect of KBF₄ additions on the crystallization behavior of glasses based on the multicomponent systems MO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ with M = Ca, Sr, and Ba. The glass-ceramic composites obtained contain a δ-Bi₂O₃-based crystalline phase with a crystallite size of ≃7 nm, evenly distributed over the glass matrix. The 400°C electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites reaches 2 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm, and the activation energy is 1.1 eV, typical of anion conduction. These values are comparable to those reported for δ-Bi₂O₃ ceramics.     

Mechanical properties and apatite forming ability of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles/high density polyethylene composite: Effect of filler content

Composite materials consisting of TiO₂ nanoparticles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), designated hereafter as TiO₂/HDPE, were prepared by a kneading and forming process. The effect of TiO₂ content on the mechanical properties and apatite forming ability of these materials was studied. Increased TiO₂ content resulted in an increase in bending strength, yield strength, Young’s modulus and compressive strength (bending strength = 68 MPa, yield strength = 54 MPa, Young’s modulus = 7 GPa, and compressive strength = 82 MPa) at 50 vol% TiO₂. The composite with 50 vol% TiO₂ shows a similar strength and Young’s modulus to human cortical bone. The TiO₂/HDPE composites with different TiO₂ contents were soaked at 36.5°C for up to 14 days in a simulated body fluid (SBF) whose ion concentrations were nearly equal to those of human blood plasma. The apatite forming ability, which is indicative of bioactivity, increased with TiO₂ content. Little apatite formation was observed for the TiO₂/HDPE composite with 20 vol% content. However, in the case of 40 vol% TiO₂ content and higher, the apatite layers were formed on the surface of the composites within 7 days. The most potent TiO₂ content for a bone-repairing material was 50 vol%, judging from the mechanical and biological results. This kind of bioactive material with similar mechanical properties to human cortical bone is expected to be useful as a load bearing bone substitute in areas such as the vertebra and cranium.