Biocomposite of hydroxyapatite-titania rods (HApTiR): Physical properties and in vitro study

The aim in this research is to study the physical and biocompatible properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites (HApTiR) having different amounts of titania rod (TiR) in them (10–90 wt.%). The HAp and TiR were produced using hydrothermal and co-precipitation under reflux methods, respectively. The physical properties and the in vitro biocompatibility of the composites to simulated body fluid (SBF) were investigated. They were also cultured with rat osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells. The synthesized powder showed a core-shell structure with the titania rod as the core and the apatite as the shell. The hardness of the composites of HApTiR's whisker increased from 74.8 to 92.9 MPa as the TiR content was increased from 10 to 90 wt.%. Mineralization study in SBF showed the formation of apatite crystals on the HApTiR's surface after 7 days of incubation. In vitro cell adhesion tests confirmed the osteoblast attachment and growth on the HApTiR's surface. The density of cells, spread and the production of calcium nodules on the substrate were seen to increase with increasing TiR contents except for HApTiR90 (TiR = 90 wt.%) which exhibited lesser growth. MTT tests on HApTiR70 indicated that UMR-106 cells were viable and the density of cells on the substrate was seen to increase with increasing culturing time.

Graphical abstractThe hardness of HApTiR whiskers increases as the amount of Ti rods (TiR) in the composite is increased. In vitro biocompatibility tests of the composites in SBF and the culturing of rat osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells provide evidence of the formation of apatite crystals and of the cell growth on the HApTiR surfaces. The density of the cells, the spread and the production of the calcium nodules were seen to increase as the TiR content in the composites is increased.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► HApTiR has been produced via a hydrothermal and chemical co-precipitation route. ► In vitro in SBF and cultured with osteoblast-like cells were studied. ► HApTiRs whisker hardness increase from 74.8 to 92.9 MPa for TiR content of 10–90 wt.%. ► The density of cells and MTT assay on the substrate was seen to increase with increasing TiR contents.