Polymer nanocomposites for bone tissue substitutes

Following the quest for new composite biomaterials for bone tissue engineering, this work presents the processing of new nanocomposite made of polycaprolactone matrix and wollastonite particles. Wollastonite nanopowder was obtained by thermal treatment of polymethyloxosilane resin mixed with silica and calcium hydroxide. Bioactive character of the ceramic nanopowder was verified in simulated body fluid (SBF). The apatite formation on wollastonite grain surface after immersion in SBF was observed. Basic mechanical properties of the samples containing various amount of ceramic nanoparticles have been examined. It was shown that the presence of small amount of wollastonite nanoparticles (0.5–1.0 wt%) improves significantly the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and work-of-fracture of polymer matrix composite. Increased content of ceramic nanoadditive (>2%) in nanocomposites resulted in degradation of their mechanical characteristics.