Polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Bionanocomposites have established themselves as a promising class of hybrid materials derived from natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers and organic/inorganic fillers. Different chemistries and compositions can lead to applications from tissue engineering to load-bearing composites for bone reconstruction. A critical factor underlying biomedical nanocomposite properties is interaction between the chosen matrix and the filler. This article discusses current efforts and key research challenges in the development of these materials for use in potential biomedical applications.