(236h) Preparing Nanorods of Titania-Hydroxyapatite Composites Using a Surfactant-Assisted Hydrothermal Method for Orthopedic Applications

Despite attractive bioactivity, hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been limited in its applications due to poor processability and limited mechanical strength. Composites of HAp and titania have been receiving increased attention for orthopedic applications including knee/hip replacements and disk disease. In this work, a novel surfactant-assisted hydrothermal method was applied to synthesize nanocrystalline titania/hydroxyapatite composites to mimic the structure of bone. Titania-hydroxyapatite composites were homogenously mixed within poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) to produce scaffolds with suitable physical, mechanical and biological properties for bone regeneration. The effect of hydrothermal treatment on the morphology and composition of the composite material was studied at different time values and hydrothermal temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transition electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed that titania rod crystallites with mean particle sizes of about 300–100 nm in diameter and aspect ratios of about 40-60 are homogeneously distributed within the composite. The phase and chemical composition and elemental analysis of the composite were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively demonstrating excellent chemical and structural uniformity. Mechanical testing revealed a significant increase in the Young’s and flexural moduli of TiO₂/HAp-PCL composites compared to HAp-PCL. This novel inorganic–inorganic hybrid ceramic holds a great promise for bone tissue engineering with improved mechanical properties as determined by uniaxial tensile and flexural testing.