Effect of nanosilica addition on bioactivity and in vivo properties of calcium aluminate cement

This study aims at assessing the influence of nanosilica on the bioactivity and mechanical properties of calcium aluminate cement. For this purpose, nanosilica was applied as a replacement for calcium aluminate cement at 0, 2, 5 and 8 wt%. The main components were analyzed by scanning electron microscope coupled with surface imaging and elemental analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. To estimate the bioactivity of specimens, hydroxyapatite formation on the surface of cement paste was investigated in the simulated body fluid solution. In addition, in vivo evaluation of calcium aluminate cement was performed in subcutaneous tissue of rats. To investigate the mechanical properties, both compressive and flexural strengths were also measured. The results revealed that by increasing nanosilica up to 8 wt%, the strength enhanced. Moreover all cement paste samples with various amounts of nanosilica represented good bioactivity because of formation of bonelike apatite layer on the surface of specimens within 28 days after soaking in simulated body fluid. In vivo experiments indicated that the cement sample was absorbed by the tissue and there was no infection at the implant site. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, the specimen with 2 wt% nanosilica represented the highest bioactivity.