Improved Biomineralization Using Cellulose Acetate/Magnetic Nanoparticles Composite Membranes

Following implantation, infections, inflammatory reactions, corrosion, mismatches in the elastic modulus, stress shielding and excessive wear are the most frequent reasons for orthopedic implant failure. Natural polymer-based coatings showed especially good results in achieving better cell attachment, growth and tissue-implant integration, and it was found that the inclusions of nanosized fillers in the coating structure improves biomineralization and consequently implant osseointegration, as the nanoparticles represent calcium phosphate nucleation centers and lead to the deposition of highly organized hydroxyapatite crystallites on the implant surface. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles synthesized by the co-precipitation method were used for the preparation of cellulose acetate composite coatings through the phase-inversion method. The biomineralization ability of the membranes was tested through the Taguchi method, and it was found that nanostructured hydroxyapatite was formed at the surface of the composite membrane (with a higher organization degree and purity, and a Ca/P percentage closer to the one seen with stoichiometric hydroxyapatite, compared to the one deposited on neat cellulose acetate). The results obtained indicate a potential new application for magnetic nanoparticles in the field of orthopedics.