3d Printing of Biodegradable Poly (Butylene Adipate – Co – Terephthalate) / Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, the hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterial from a bio-waste namely the buffalo bone was prepared in simple and environmentally friendly way. It was characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses. The average sizes of the nanoparticles were found in the range 8-41 nm as calculated by Debye-Sherrer’s formula. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of major functional groups (PO4 vi

3- and OH - ) in prepared HA samples, with small additional peaks of carbonate ion (CO3 2- ). The SEM micrograph showed the formation of small rod-like crystals in the agglomerated particles were presented in as-dried HA powders with size ranges from 1.75 to 2.72 μm. In addition, the micrographs show morphologies for all samples with fine particles and pore size details ranges from 31.3nm to 101nm provides good agreement to be used in a biomedical application. To make the nanocomposite, HA was macroscopically uniformly distributed over poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by solvent casting method with the help of magnetic stirrer. By using nanocomposite, the filament for 3D printer was prepared by Noztek machine. Finally, button like structure was prepared by using 3D printer and it was investigated by water adsorption, Biodegradibility and anti-microbial test. The addition of HA brought improvements in stiffness of PBAT, due to high interactions between the carbonyl groups of the polymer matrix and the hydroxyl groups of HA. As the percentage of HA in composite increased, the water absorption percentage of nano-composite also increased. Also, degradation test showed that weight loss percentage gone to decrease with increased percentage of HA in composite. Therefore, this biomaterial has great potential for applications in regenerative medicine as a support for bone growth.

Keywords: Hydroxyapatite (HA), Crystallinity, Porous, 3D Printing, Solvent Casting, Biodegradability, Water Absorption, Hydrophilicity