A Universal Chelation-Induced Selective Demetallization Strategy for Bioceramic Nanosheets (BCene)

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanosheet materials like graphene and phosphorene have transformed various scientific fields.
• Layered inorganic materials are crucial in bioceramics, semiconductors, and superconductors.
• Fabricating nanosheets from layered crystals with strong bonding is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile technique for producing nanosheets from layered inorganic crystals.
• To demonstrate the potential of bioceramic nanosheets (BCene) in tissue engineering.
• To explore the application of selective demetallization for optimizing material performance.

Main Methods:

• A metal-chelation reaction was employed to selectively exfoliate interlayer metal atoms.
• Bioceramic nanosheets (BCene) were produced by extracting calcium layers from Akermanite (AKT).
• 3D-printed scaffolds from BCene and AKT nanopowders were fabricated for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced bioceramic nanosheets (BCene) using the selective demetallization technique.
• 3D-printed BCene scaffolds demonstrated superior mechanical strength compared to AKT nanopowder scaffolds.
• BCene scaffolds exhibited enhanced *in vitro* bioactivity.

Conclusions:

• The metal-chelation technique offers a promising route for producing nanosheets from diverse layered inorganic crystals.
• Bioceramic nanosheets (BCene) hold significant potential for advanced applications in tissue engineering.
• This method can be extended to optimize the performance of other inorganic layered materials.