Abstract
The incorporation of well-dispersed graphene (G) powder to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement has been demonstrated as a promising solution to improving its mechanical performance. However, two crucial aspects limit the effectiveness of G as a reinforcing agent: (1) the poor dispersion and (2) the lack of strong interfacial bonds between G and the matrix of the bone cement. This work reports a successful functionalisation route to promote the homogenous dispersion of G via silanisation using 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (MPS). Furthermore, the effects of the silanisation on the mechanical, thermal and biocompatibility properties of bone cements are presented. In comparison with unsilanised G, the incorporation of silanised G (G_MPS1 and G_MPS2) increased the bending strength by 17%, bending modulus by 15% and deflection at failure by 17%. The most impressive results were obtained for the mechanical properties under fatigue loading, where the incorporation of G_MPS doubled the Fatigue Performance Index (I) value of unsilanised G-bone cement—meaning a 900% increase over the I value of the cement without G. Additionally, to ensure that the silanisation did not have a negative influence on other fundamental properties of bone cement, it was demonstrated that the thermal properties and biocompatibility were not negatively impacted—allowing its potential clinical progression.
Highlights
IntroductionIt has been demonstrated that the presence of G and Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles within a polymer matrix produces a deviation and detention of crack fronts during their propagation, increasing the required energy for failure [4,5,6]
In previous studies, it was demonstrated that the incorporation of well-dispersedGraphene (G) and Graphene oxide (GO) powder can be a promising solution in augmenting the mechanical performance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement in an attempt to enhance the long-term survival of the cemented orthopaedic implants [1,2,3].It has been demonstrated that the presence of G and GO nanoparticles within a polymer matrix produces a deviation and detention of crack fronts during their propagation, increasing the required energy for failure [4,5,6]
The present study describes an effective method for G functionalisation via silanisation with methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (MPS) that markedly improves the static and fatigue mechanical properties of PMMA bone cement
Summary
It has been demonstrated that the presence of G and GO nanoparticles within a polymer matrix produces a deviation and detention of crack fronts during their propagation, increasing the required energy for failure [4,5,6]. This reinforcing effect of G and GO has attracted considerable interest during recent decades, giving rise to advanced nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties [7,8]. Different methods have been investigated to reduce the tendency of the G and GO nanoparticles to agglomerate and to promote the integration of these nanoparticles within the polymer matrix
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