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Bioplastics

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...

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Rapid Mix Preparation of Bioinspired Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Applications

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Published on: February 23, 2017

Medical-Grade Poly(Lactic Acid)/Hydroxyapatite Composite Films: Thermal and In Vitro Degradation Properties.

Leonard Bauer¹, Anamarija Rogina¹, Marica Ivanković¹

¹Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.

|March 29, 2023

Summary

Adding hydroxyapatite (HAp) to medical-grade poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites slows degradation and enhances thermal stability. Degradation occurs unevenly, with inner sections losing properties faster than outer sections before weight loss is apparent.

Keywords:

hydroxyapatite in vitro degradation microstructure poly(lactic acid)

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Additive Manufacturing

Background:

Biocompatible composite scaffolds are crucial for tissue engineering.
Additive manufacturing increasingly utilizes biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic acid) (PLA).
Differences between industrial and medical-grade polymers can impact scaffold properties and degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of biogenic hydroxyapatite (HAp) content on the degradation behavior and thermal stability of medical-grade poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites.
To analyze the morphological and thermal changes during the degradation process.

Main Methods:

Composite films of medical-grade PLA and varying wt.% of biogenic hydroxyapatite (HAp) (0, 10, 20 wt.%) were prepared using solvent casting.
Degradation studies were conducted by incubating the composites in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution at 37 °C for 10 weeks.
Thermal properties, including glass transition temperature (Tg), and morphological changes were analyzed.

Main Results:

Higher HAp content significantly slowed down the hydrolytic degradation of PLA.
The addition of HAp improved the thermal stability of the PLA composites.
Degradation led to morphological nonuniformity, evidenced by differing glass transition temperatures (Tg) between the inner and outer parts of the films.
The inner part of the samples showed a faster decrease in Tg compared to the outer part, preceding observable weight loss.

Conclusions:

Biogenic hydroxyapatite acts as a stabilizer, retarding the hydrolytic degradation of medical-grade PLA.
The incorporation of HAp enhances the thermal stability of PLA-based composites.
Composite degradation is a complex process exhibiting spatial heterogeneity, with internal regions degrading faster than external regions, detectable by thermal analysis before mass loss.