Bone substitute of poly(amino acid)/β‐Ca2SiO4 biocomposite: Degradability and bioactivity

A poly(amino acid)/β‐Ca₂SiO₄(PAA/β‐Ca₂SiO₄) bioactive composite was prepared by in situ melting polymerization. The composition, structure, and morphology were characterized by infrared spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimeter. The results indicated that the β‐Ca₂SiO₄ particles were uniformly distributed in the PAA matrix and some interaction was found at the interface between PAA and β‐Ca₂SiO₄. The crystallinity of PAA in the composite was found decreasing with the increase of β‐Ca₂SiO₄ content. The bioactivity of the composite was evaluated by soaking the composite in simulated body fluid (SBF) and results showed that the PAA/β‐Ca₂SiO₄ composite (PSC) could induce a dense and continuous layer of apatite after soaking for 1 week. In addition, the PSC was soaked SBF for 2 months, and the weight loss reached 8.77%, showing the composite could be degradable. Collectively, these results suggested that the incorporation of β‐Ca₂SiO₄ produced a biocomposite with enhanced bioactivity and might have potential applications as a bone tissue substitute. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1335–1341, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers