Incorporation of MXene into brushite cement: Effects on mechanical, physical, and biological properties

Brushite cement (BrC) has been extensively utilized in hard tissue engineering implementations due to their osteoconductive and bioresorbable nature. The key limitations associated with the clinical application of brushite cement are complex handling procedures, short working time, and inadequate mechanical strength. This study investigates the development of MXene-incorporated brushite cement with improved properties for various clinical applications. The objective was to evaluate the influence of MXene concentration on the mechanical, physical and biological properties of BrC.

The incorporated MXene at 1% and 2% concentrations were evaluated for characterization by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, mechanical strength by UTM, physical properties by degradation and setting time, and biologically by DDT, DCT, cytotoxicity and gene expression.

MXene inclusion increased the crystallinity of BrC, mechanical strength (SBS, CS and BFS), significantly (p < 0.05) particularly at 2 wt.%. The prolonged setting times, enhanced antibacterial property (ZOI 20.5 mm in DDT; 1.20 OD prior and 0.05 OD after the test in DCT), and acceptable cytocompatibility around 75% cell viability. Significant upregulation of RUNX2, ALP and OCN in the 2% group.

Inclusion of MXene into brushite cement generated a composite biomaterial with improved mechanical strength, controlled degradation, strengthened antibacterial activity, while maintained biocompatibility. Exhibits potential for clinical applications requiring enhanced regenerative ability and antibacterial performance.