Abstract
Polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) possess biodegradability, biocompatibility and affinity with other organic media that makes them suitable for biomedical applications. In this work, a novel biocomposite coating was synthesised by mixing PCL with layers of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite, brushite and monetite) from a biomineral called otolith extracted from Teleost fish (Plagioscion Squamosissimus) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes in different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/L). The biocomposite coating was deposited on an osteosynthesis material Ti6Al4V by spin coating and various tests such as Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scratch tests, MTT reduction cytotoxicity, HOS cell bioactivity (human osteosarcoma) by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and fluorescence microscopy were performed to comprehensively evaluate the newly developed biocoating. It was found that an increase in the concentration of carbon nanotube induced microstructural phase changes of calcium phosphate (CP) leading to the formation of brushite, monetite and hydroxyapatite. While we discovered that an increase in the concentration of carbon nanotube generally improves the adhesion of the coating with the substrate, a certain threshold exists such that the best deposition surfaces were obtained as PCL/CP/CNT 0.0 g/L and PCL/CP/CNT 0.5 g/L.
Highlights
Metallic biomaterials used in implantology are usually inert, since there is no ion active exchange
This work reports the development and testing aspects of a novel biocomposite coating synthesised by mixing PCL polymer with layers of calcium phosphate synthesized from a biomineral called otolith extracted from Teleost fish (Plagioscion Squamosissimus) and functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes in different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/L)
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes used in concentrations of 0.5 g/L, 1.0 g/L and 1.5 g/L were functionalized with nano-sized calcium phosphates prepared by aqueous precipitation from Teleost’s fish otolith
Summary
Metallic biomaterials used in implantology are usually inert, since there is no ion active exchange. Carbon nanotubes can be functionalized, allowing other molecules to be adhered to the walls and ends, improving the properties of the materials This strategy has been widely used to incorporate calcium phosphates (CP) like hydroxyapatite[5,6,7], CaCO32 or polymers for applications such as cancer treatment, drug transport, biotechnological applications and energy[8,9,10]. Cai et al.[15] functionalized carbon nanotubes with calcium phosphate, verifying the adherence of the phosphates to the CNT This material was added to a PLLA (polylactic acid) matrix to obtain PLLA-HA-CNT scaffolds, where the mechanical properties of the composite material were found to be improved. Due to the use of the Otolith, this research requested endorsement from the Committee of Ethics in Scientific Research of the Universidad Industrial de Santander, which was granted by act number 25 of 16th December 2016, following the institutional guideline Guide Ethical Considerations Animals GIN.[09]
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