Naslov
Medical-Grade Poly(Lactic Acid)/Hydroxyapatite Composite Films: Thermal and In Vitro Degradation Properties

Autori
Bauer, Leonard ; Rogina, Anamarija ; Ivanković, Marica ; Ivanković, Hrvoje

Izvornik
Polymers (2073-4360) 15 (2023), 6; 1512, 16

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
poly(lactic acid) ; hydroxyapatite ; in vitro degradation ; microstructure

Sažetak
Production of biocompatible composite scaffolds shifts towards additive manufacturing where thermoplastic biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) are used as matrices. Differences between industrial- and medical-grade polymers are often overlooked although they may affect properties and degradation behaviour as significantly as the filler addition. In the present research, composite films based on medical-grade PLA and biogenic hydroxyapatite (HAp) with 0, 10, and 20 wt.% of HAp were prepared by solvent casting technique. The degradation of composites incubated in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) at 37 ◦C after 10 weeks showed that the higher HAp content slowed down the hydrolytic PLA degradation and improved its thermal stability. Morphological nonuniformity after degradation was indicated by the different glass transition temperatures (Tg) throughout the film. The Tg of the inner part of the sample decreased significantly faster compared with the outer part. The decrease was observed prior to the weight loss of composite samples.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija, Kemijsko inženjerstvo, Temeljne tehničke znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA