Bone cement/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites as potential biomaterials for joint implant

Poly(methyl methacrylate)-based bone cement and layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites have been used as a grouting material for total joint arthroplasty. Few weight percentage of nanoLDH was uniformly dispersed in the bone cement matrix to have adequate interaction with matrix polymer. Mechanical strength, stiffness, toughness, and fatigue resistance of the nanocomposites are found to be higher than that of pure bone cement. Nanocomposites are thermally stable as compared to pristine bone cement. Direct mixing of the nanoLDH without any organic solvent makes these nanocomposites biocompatible. Biocompatibility was evaluated and compared with that of commercial bone cement by measuring hydrophilic nature, hemolysis assay, thrombosis assay, and deposition of apatite in simulated body fluid immersion. Finally, the viability of human osteoblast cells on the above developed nanocomposites was testified for actual biocompatibility. The experiment showed better cell growth in nanocomposites as compared to pure bone cement. Thus, these nanocomposites are found to be better grouting material than bone cement. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A:33633373, 2012.