In situ ring-opening polymerization of hydroxyapatite/poly(ethylene adipate)-co-(ethylene terephthalate) biomimetic composites

Hydroxyapatite/poly(ethylene adipate)-co-poly(ethylene terephthalate) biomaterials (HAp/PEA-co-PET) have been prepared by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic oligo(ethylene adipate)-co-oligo(ethylene terephthalate) (C-OEA-co-C-OET) in the porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds at 250 °C for 24 h under vacuum. The content of ROP-PEA-co-PET in the HAp/PEA-co-PET composite was about 20 wt% with the values of number average molecular weight $({overline{M}_{{rm n}}})$ and weight average molecular weight $({overline{M}_{{rm W}}})$ of 3380 and 7160 g/mol, respectively. Compressive strength and modulus of the HAp/PEA-co-PET composites were about 29 and 246 MPa, respectively. These mechanical properties were higher than those of the porous HAp templates and natural cancellous bone. In vitro bioactivity of the HAp/PEA-co-PET composites was studied by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) under the flowing system at the rate of 130 mL/day for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The formation of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals was observed on the composite surfaces through the consumption of calcium and phosphorus from the SBF solution, indicating the bioactivity of these HAp/PEA-co-PET composites. These results indicated the competency of HAp/PEA-co-PET composites for biomedical applications.