Electrically stimulated bioactivity in hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate/polyvinylidene fluoride biocomposites

Abstract

The search for new advanced biomaterials with special characteristics that allow the development of novel techniques to accelerate the healing process of economically active individuals has been widely encouraged. In recent years, electrical stimuli have emerged as potential tools for accelerating bone cell regeneration. In this study, hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate/polyvinylidene fluoride biocomposites were synthesized, and electrical stimuli were used to improve and accelerate bone regeneration in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy, fast Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed the strong influence of oscillating electric fields on the kinetics of apatite (synthetic bone) growth on the studied biocomposites. Biocomposite samples immersed in simulated body fluid exhibit higher apatite growth rates under the application of an oscillating (3 Hz) electric field of 235 kV/m for 36 h in comparison with samples not subjected to the electric stimulus.

Keywords

• Bioelectric composites
• Bone regeneration
• Tissue engineering