Bone substitute of poly(amino acid)/-Ca2SiO4 biocomposite: Degradability and bioactivity

A poly(amino acid)/-Ca2SiO4(PAA/-Ca2SiO4) bioactive composite was prepared by in situ melting polymerization. The composition, structure, and morphology were characterized by infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimeter. The results indicated that the -Ca2SiO4 particles were uniformly distributed in the PAA matrix and some interaction was found at the interface between PAA and -Ca2SiO4. The crystallinity of PAA in the composite was found decreasing with the increase of -Ca2SiO4 content. The bioactivity of the composite was evaluated by soaking the composite in simulated body fluid (SBF) and results showed that the PAA/-Ca2SiO4 composite (PSC) could induce a dense and continuous layer of apatite after soaking for 1 week. In addition, the PSC was soaked SBF for 2 months, and the weight loss reached 8.77%, showing the composite could be degradable. Collectively, these results suggested that the incorporation of -Ca2SiO4 produced a biocomposite with enhanced bioactivity and might have potential applications as a bone tissue substitute. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1335-1341, 2016. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers