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Synthesis of PLLA-HA Hybrid Composites with Bone-Like Structure

J. Zhang, D. Jiang, Z. Chen, Q. Lin, Z. Huang

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 1 (2011), pp. 39-46

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2010-00030

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Abstract

Many studies are currently underway to make synthetic bone-like materials with compositions of polymeric materials and hydroxyapatite (HA). In this paper, we report on the biomimetic preparation of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/HA composites. Initially, HA nanorods with well-oriented organization were prepared with a simple hydrothermal method using dodecyl phosphate, a type of surfactant with a phosphorus head group, as the templating agent. The precipitate clusters consisting of hydroxyapatite nanorods exhibited a well-ordered microstructure. Subsequently, the obtained precipitates were dispersed in PLLA solutions to make slurries for tape casting. After homogenizing and tape casting, the obtained green sheets were further laminated and thermally compressed to form the final PLLA/HA composites. The microstructure and the resulting properties of the composites were investigated. The PLLA/HA composites containing nano-sized hydroxyapatite with structural features close to those of biological apatite make them attractive for bone tissue engineering applications.

Keywords

PLLA, HA, hybrid composites

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