Processing and Characterization of Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) / Wollastonite Biocomposites for Medical Applications

By melt blending process Poly (butylene adipate-co-terepthalate) (PBAT) based composites were prepared using PBAT with 0 to 7 wt % of wollastonite (W). The prepared PBAT biocomposites were characterized for XRD, FTIR, SEM, TGA, cell viability, swelling studies, and tensile properties. XRD reveals that PBAT was attained crystalline nature after the addition of filler into the polymer matrix. SEM micrographs confirmed that the morphology of the blend has homogeneous dispersion of the filler and after soaking in SBF (stimulated body fluid) for 5 days showed that good formation of HA layer on the PBAT/W composite (3 wt%). TGA study reveals that the thermal stability slightly increases with filler loading. The tensile strength of PBAT increases by the addition of wollastonite up to 5 wt % and then it tends to decreases. The effect of filler on the PBAT for biocompatibility level was evaluated through in vitro cytotoxicity test (MTT Assay). Cytotoxicity tests showed that good cell viability at 3 wt % filler content at short incubation periods. The potential benefits of the developed biocomposites can be used as new biomaterials in biomedical field. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.