Perovskite ceramic nanoparticles in polymer composites for augmenting bone tissue regeneration

Nanotechnology. 2014 Dec 5;25(48):485101. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/48/485101. Epub 2014 Nov 7.

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the use of nanoparticles as fillers in polymer matrices to develop biomaterials which mimic the mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of bone tissue for orthopaedic applications. The objective of this study was to prepare poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocomposites incorporating three different perovskite ceramic nanoparticles, namely, calcium titanate (CT), strontium titanate (ST) and barium titanate (BT). The tensile strength and modulus of the composites increased with the addition of nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that dispersion of the nanoparticles scaled with the density of the ceramics, which in turn played an important role in determining the enhancement in mechanical properties of the composite. Dielectric spectroscopy revealed improved permittivity and reduced losses in the composites when compared to neat PCL. Nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinning. Induction coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy indicated the release of small quantities of Ca(+2), Sr(+2), Ba(+2) ions from the scaffolds. Piezo-force microscopy revealed that BT nanoparticles imparted piezoelectric properties to the scaffolds. In vitro studies revealed that all composites support osteoblast proliferation. Expression of osteogenic genes was enhanced on the nanocomposites in the following order: PCL/CT > PCL/ST > PCL/BT > PCL. This study demonstrates that the use of perovskite nanoparticles could be a promising technique to engineer better polymeric scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Calcium Compounds / chemistry
  • Calcium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Ceramics / chemistry
  • Ceramics / pharmacology*
  • Materials Testing / methods
  • Mice
  • Nanocomposites / administration & dosage
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Oxides / pharmacology*
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Polyesters / pharmacology
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / pharmacology*
  • Strontium / chemistry
  • Strontium / pharmacology
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry
  • Titanium / chemistry
  • Titanium / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Oxides
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • perovskite
  • polycaprolactone
  • Titanium
  • strontium titanium oxide
  • Strontium