Effect of the composition of hydroxyapatite/bioactive glass nanocomposite foams on their bioactivity and mechanical properties

Nanocomposite foams were prepared on addition of 63S bioactive glass (BG) to pure hydroxyapatite (HA), in proportion of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 wt.%, and their mechanical properties and bioactivity were compared. The prepared nanocomposite foams have a grain size in the range 24–38 nm and pore size in the range 100–400 μm. The compressive strength and elastic modulus increased with increasing the amount of BG addition up to 25 wt.% and then decreased by more addition of BG. The maximum values of compressive strength and elastic modulus were found to be about 2.78 MPa and 219 MPa, respectively. The mean values of total and interconnected porosity were calculated in the range 84–88% and 57–76%, respectively. The obtained composite foams have chemical composition similar to the mineral phase of bone and by changing the ratio of HA/BG it can reach the appropriate bioactivity and biodegradability level needed for different biomedical applications.

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► Highly porous (84–88%) and mechanically competent (2.78 MPa) foams were synthesized.
► The compressive strength increased with increasing amount of BG addition up to 25 wt.%.
► The compressive strength is equal to standard for a porous bioceramic bone implant.
► The prepared foams have a high specific surface area (40.65 m2 g−1).
► The high specific surface area was due to high porosity level and nanosized structure.