Developing Mg-Zn-Fish Bone Derived Hydroxyapatite Composites for Biomedical Applications: In vitro Degradation Studies

Abstract

The study of magnesium (Mg) based biomaterials has emerged as a potential research area in recent times. Controlling the rapid corrosion and improving the implant-tissue interface kinetics for better tissue regeneration are the prime interests behind developing novel Mg-based composites. In the current work, the metal matrix composites of Mg-Zn, dispersed with nano-hydroxyapatite derived from fish bones (fHA), were produced by powder metallurgy route. The powders were mixed with the help of ball milling in the presence of ethanol and then sintered at 440 °C. From the microstructural studies, micro-lamellar morphology was noticed for the sintered compacts due to the flake-like morphology of the milled powders. The sintered compacts were then subjected to in vitro biodegradation studies in simulated conditions for one week. From the results, the presence of fHA was found to be highly influential in increasing the rate of mineral deposition on the surface of the composites. These higher mineral depositions protected the surface of the composites from further degradation. The results demonstrate that adding fHA to Mg accelerates biomineralization and controls degradation, leading to better implant-tissue interactions.