Enhanced mechanical properties and hydrophilic behavior of magnesium oxide added hydroxyapatite nanocomposite: A bone substitute material for load bearing applications

Hydroxyapatite is a multifunctional biomaterial that combines biocompatibility and bioactivity for various biomedical applications such as bone repairing and bioimaging. In the present study nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp) was synthesized using microwave irradiation technique. Subsequently, the MgO was introduced into the n-HAp matrix and various bioactive compositions of HAp-MgO nanocomposites were fabricated. The structural, mechanical, in vivo cell viability, and in vivo imaging properties of these nanocomposites were studied. The XRD results show that the composites sintered at 1200 °C, n-HAp partially decomposed into beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The sintered density of the composites varying from 2.72 ± 0.066 to 3.03 ± 0.093 g cm⁻³ with the addition of 0.0–2.0 wt % of MgO. As increasing the amounts of MgO, a remarkable increase in the mechanical properties of the composite was achieved. The composite HAp-1.0MgO exhibited the highest mechanical properties with a compressive strength of 111.20 ± 5 MPa, fracture toughness 136.98 ± 5 MJ/m³ and revealed much amplification than pure n-HAp. Thus, the addition of MgO acting as an excellent mechanical reinforcing agent. The surface morphology of the composites revealed a significant change in the porous surface to denser. The low contact angle revealed the considerable hydrophilic nature of the composite surface. The biological study of these nano-composites with Drosophila third instar larvae indicated comparable or more favorable biocompatibility in terms of cell viability. Also internalized by Drosophila third instar larvae exhibited fluorescence under green and red filters using epifluorescence microscopy. Thus, the fabricated HAp-MgO nanocomposites with excellent biological properties are expected to be a multifunctional bioactive material for bone tissue regeneration and cell imaging applications.