Preparation and characterisation of hydroxyapatite derived from natural bovine bone and PMMA/BHA composite for biomedical applications

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based cements are widely used to secure orthopaedic implants and prostheses. However, the lack of strong adhesion between the prosthesis and hosting bone has prompted studies in which bone compatible fillers are incorporated into the bone cement matrix. Hydroxyapatite (HA)-incorporated PMMA polymer is one of the useful biocomposite which can improve biocompatibility and may also increase consolidation by motivating bone directly. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterise HA extracted from natural bovine bone (BHA) and PMMA/BHA composite for biomedical and clinical applications. In order to achieve this goal, the BHA was derived from natural bovine bone and PMMA/BHA composites, with different amounts of BHA (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt. %), were prepared using vacuum mixing method. The obtained BHA was characterised and hardness values of PMMA/BHA composites were also determined by micro-Vickers test. The results indicated that HA of single phase with high crystallinity can be produced from the natural bovine bone. Moreover, it was found that the incorporation of micro-sized BHA into the bone cement matrix leads to a decrease in the hardness so that this reduction is greater when the amount of BHA increases. Nevertheless, the composites with 5 and 10 wt. % BHA exhibit a slight decrease compared to the other PMMA/BHA composite samples.