Spark Plasma Sintered HA‐Fe3O4‐Based Multifunctional Magnetic Biocomposites

Abstract

Although HA is highly biocompatible, one of the major disadvantages of HA include the lack of antibacterial property. In an earlier study, we demonstrated the potential role of magnetic field stimulation on bactericidal property in vitro. Following this, it was hypothesized that antibacterial property can be realized if bacteria are grown on magnetic biocomposites in vitro. In addressing this issue, this study demonstrates the development of HA‐Fe3O4‐based magnetic substrate with multifunctional properties. For this purpose, HA‐xFe3O4 (x: 10, 20 and 40 wt%) powder compositions were sintered using uniquely designed spark plasma sintering conditions (three stage sintering with final holding temperature of 1050°C for 5 min). A saturation magnetization of 24 emu/g is measured with HA‐40%Fe3O4. Importantly, all the HA‐Fe3O4 composites demonstrated bactericidal property by rupturing the membrane of Escherichia coli bacteria, while supporting cell growth of metabolically active human fetal osteoblast cells over 8 d culture. A systematic decrease in bacterial viability with Fe3O4 addition is consistent with a commensurate increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS).