Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Abstract

Mechanical and In-vitro Performance of CNT Reinforced Hydroxyapatite Prepared by a Shear Mixing Method

Susmita Mukherjee, Swarnendu Sen and Abhijit Chanda

Lack of osteoinductivity and the problem of inherent brittleness are the two major challenges associated with hydroxyapatite (HAp), the main mineral component of bone. This imposes a limitation in its application as a load bearing orthopaedic implant material. The present work aims to overcome the problem of inherent brittleness of HAp by incorporating Carbon Nanotube (CNT) in the HAp matrix. A simple and cost effective shear mixing method was used to mix the CNT and the HAp in optimal proportion to develop the Hap-CNT nanocomposite. The composite was characterised using XRD, FTIR, HRTEM and FESEM techniques. Crystallinity of the composites was well above 99% with XRD clearly showing characteristics peaks of HAp. HRTEM of the sintered products showed flake like structure while FESEM showed fine microstructure of HAp with sporadic presence of CNT. It is observed that the nanocomposites possess improved fracture toughness with respect to that of pure HAp, which appears to be a great promise for bone tissue engineering. In-vitro studies of the samples, performed in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) showed widespread growth of apatite crystals on the sample surface.