In vitro Ca-P precipitation on biodegradable thermoplastic composite of poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-DL-lactide) and...

Bioactive properties of composites containing poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-DL-lactide) with molar ratio 96/4 and bioactive glass (BAG), S53P4, were tested in vitro. The glass content in the tested materials was 40, 60 or 70 wt%, and two granule size ranges (<45 and 90-315 microm) were used. The composites were analysed for their apatite-forming ability. This was determined as a function of time by the dissolution pattern of Si and Ca ions and structural changes on the specimen surfaces. Composite specimens were immersed in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C for up to 6 months. The changes in Si and Ca concentrations of the immersion medium were determined with UV-Vis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The calcium phosphate precipitation and apatite formation were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infra-red spectroscopy (IR) using the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) system. The SEM and SEM-EDX analysis of the depositions formed on the composite surfaces was in line with the changes in ion concentrations. The clearest results with IR were seen in the material containing 60 wt% small glass particles. The results indicate that composites containing over 40 wt% BAG granules are bioactive, and that a higher BAG surface area/volume ratio favors the apatite formation in vitro.