Development and characterization of PLA/Joncryl/ZnO bioactive composites

• Grant number: 23/04595-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Lidiane Cristina Costa
• Grantee: Lucca Donatão Gonçales Falci
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03157-7 - Additive manufacturing of bioactive composites for tissue engineering, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

The increasing number of orthopedic procedures for bone repair resulting from the population's increased life expectancy or from trauma due to accidents is a problem that affects all countries. In this context, new surgical procedures have been developed, as well as new materials for bone repairs. One of the most prominent alternatives is the development of scaffolds. These can be made of metals, ceramics or polymers, and must mimic the natural extracellular matrix of the bone. One way to produce scaffolds with adequate mechanical properties and that present bioactive behavior, consists in the production of biocompatible/bioabsorbable polymer composites with bioactive ceramic fillers, such as bioglasses, biosilicates, hydroxyapatite (HA), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), Zinc oxide (ZnO). In this way, the biocompatibility and biodegradability characteristics of the polymer and the biocompatibility, bioactivity of these ceramic fillers are united. Poly(lactic acid), PLA, a polyester derived from lactic acid obtained from renewable sources, has stood out in this context. Conventional production techniques for polymer/ceramic filler composites generally employ high temperatures and shear that, in the presence of certain bioactive fillers, can lead to severe degradation of the polymer matrix. Thus, in this project, bioactive filler ZnO will be incorporated into PLA and the recovery of the molar mass of the matrix will occur through the use of a chain extender. The aim is to control the degradation of the polymeric matrix and obtain materials that present bioactive behavior and rheological properties suitable to be 3D printed.