On mechanical properties and bioactivity of PVDF-BCP composites

Abstract

Abstract A ceramic/polymer biocomposite with high potential for multifunctional practical applications in bone tissue engineering was synthesized by using a well-known piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and a high bioactive biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic obtained from recycled fish bones. High-bioactivity was observed for the PVDF-BCP composite when it was subjected to conditions that simulate the animal body once a very thick apatite layer (9 μm) was grown on its surface in an immersion experiment (7 days) in simulated body fluid. The structural characteristics of the PVDF-BCP composite showed similarities with highly bioactive young animal bones, overlapped with PVDF polymorphic phases. Mechanical tests revealed properties very similar to those of the human bone tissue with a resistance strength reaching 80 MPa. Together, all these factors indicated a very promising material for application in osseous implants/replacement with postoperative recovery controlled/accelerated by external stimuli.

Keywords

• biocompósitos
• PVDF
• hidroxiapatita
• bioatividade
• biomateriais