Properties of vaterite-containing tricalcium silicate composited graphene oxide for biomaterials

The properties of vaterite-containing tricalcium silicate (referred as V-C₃S) bone cement can be significantly affected by the addition of graphene oxide (GO). The composited bone cement can overcome the problems of calcium silicate-based bone cement, such as poor mechanical properties and low cellular activity. The material properties, mineralization and cell compatibility were characterized. The results demonstrated that GO/V-C₃S had good curing ability, mechanical properties and high injectability. In general, V-C₃S adding with 0.04 wt% GO is better due to its advanced compressive strength (17.14% higher than pure V-C₃S) and lower pH value. In vitro immersion experiments could show its admirable mineralization ability. Cell experiments confirmed its low cytotoxicity and favorable ability of cell proliferation. In addition, enhanced antibacterial property (2-3 times higher compared with pure V-C₃S) was also verified by antibacterial experiments. These results suggest that GO/V-C₃S bone cement is a promising material for biomedical applications.