abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) is the major inorganic component of bones, with high bioactivity and biocompatibility, and pores in the 50-200 mu m range can facilitate cell anchorage and proliferation. HAp was synthesised through a rapid sol-gel method, avoiding the usual long aging process typically required for sol-gel HAp. Acetate and nitrate precursor salts were compared, to produce bioceramics having different porosities induced via the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) pore-forming agent. 3-10 wt% H2O2 was added, and the resulting bioceramics calcined at 400 and 700 degrees C. Microstructure, composition, specific surface area and macro/mesoporosity were analysed, and bioactivity and cytotoxicity/biocompatibility evaluated by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) and MTT assays on MG63 osteoblast cell lines. When heated to 400 degrees C HAp was the only calcium phosphate phase present, but after heating to 700 degrees C they were a mixture of HAp and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP, Ca3(PO4)2). The bioceramics exhibit high bioactivity, crystallising HAp from SBF, and most were biocompatible, with cell viabilities of 110-139% for samples with 3 wt% H2O2 derived from nitrates, or from acetates heated to 700 degrees C. This is the first time that HAp-based bioceramics derived from a rapid sol-gel process have been produced with such induced porosity.
keywords
SCAFFOLDS; ADSORPTION
subject category
Science & Technology - Other Topics
authors
Bertocco, A; Capela, M; Caetano, APF; Nito, A; Quarta, A; Seabra, MP; Pullar, RC
our authors
Ana Caetano
PhD Student
Maria Paula Seabra
Assistant Professor
Marinélia Capela
Researcher
Rob Pullar
CollaboratorProjects
Collaboratory for Emerging Technologies, CoLab (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
Anna Bertocco thanks the Ca Foscari University of Venice Erasmus+ scheme for funding a period of research at the University of Aveiro.Marinelia Capela, Ana P. F. Caetano and Maria Paula Seabra are grateful to the project CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 and LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC (PIDDAC).