New ceramic material improves properties of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Iranian researchers proposed a simple and cheap method to produce hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and improve its mechanical properties.

Hardystonite was used in this method as a new ceramic material to increase the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite and to conserve the biocompatibility of the final product.

Hydroxyapatite is a very commonly-used material in tissue engineering. This material has great compatibility with human body. However, its weak mechanical properties create some problems in its applications in bioengineering. Therefore, it is necessary to use other materials to improve the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite.

In this research, natural hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were produced through a simple and cheap process by using cow bone as raw material. Then, hardystonite (HT) ceramic was injected into hydroxyapatite through mechanical activation method. Significant increase in strength, density and intensity of the produced nanocomposite results in a decrease in the solubility of calcium ions, and it prevents the excess increase of pH value in the blood.

Although many researchers have so far tried to improve the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite, results of this research confirm the advantages of the nanocomposite produced in this research over other products. Increase in corrosion resistance and excellent chemical stability are among other advantages of the product.

Chemical stability increases noticeably in the nanocomposite due to the high intensity of the product. In addition, corrosion resistance increases too. This characteristic results in negligible solubility of the produced nanocomposite in biological environment.

Results of the research have been published in Ceramics International, vol. 41, issue 4, 2015, pp. 5967-5975.