Morphology and biological responses of nanocomposites of hydroxyapatite, graphene oxide, and dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3) for biomedical applications

Abstract

In this research study, various nanocomposites, namely Dy2O3, Sm2O3, HAP/Dy2O3, HAP/Dy2O3/GO, and HAP/Sm2O3/GO, were extensively examined and analyzed. The primary focus was on the development of advanced biomaterials with improved mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity. The investigation involved the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques to observe the distinctive nanorods of hydroxyapatite (HAP) within the ternary nanocomposite. The SEM micrographs yielded an average size of 69 ± 22 * 19 ± 4 nm for the HAP nanorods, accompanied by an average roughness measurement of 10.5 nm. The TEM analysis provided further insights into the distribution of HAP and Sm2O3 within graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, revealing HAP particles measuring 20 nm in size and 65 nm in length, and Sm2O3 particles measuring 6 nm in size. To evaluate the biocompatibility of the newly developed ternary nanocomposite, HAP/Dy2O3/GO, osteoblast cells were employed. The results showed a minor decrease in cell viability, with a measured percentage of cell viability at 97.5 ± 2.1 %. Furthermore, the HAP/Dy2O3/GO nanocomposite exhibited notable antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, as indicated by inhibition zones measuring 15.3 ± 0.8 mm and 15.9 ± 1.1 mm, respectively. The unique composition of HAP/Dy2O3/GO demonstrated enhanced roughness parameters and improved biocompatibility due to its altered topological features. Additionally, its remarkable antibacterial activity and robust mechanical strength establish HAP/Dy2O3/GO as a promising candidate for further investigation as a biomaterial for bone implants.