Improvement of surface bioactivity of poly(lactic acid) biopolymer by sandblasting with hydroxyapatite bioceramic

This study communicates a simple and effective method for modification of the surface of synthetic biopolymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with bioactive ceramic hydroxyapatite (HA) using a sandblasting technique. The sandblasting particles were bombarded onto the PLA, covering the surface quite evenly. The HA-sandblasted PLA showed good in vitro apatite forming ability in a simulated body fluid within a few days, which was rarely observed for pure PLA. Moreover, the HA-sandblasted PLA enhanced the initial cell adhesion and further proliferation, and up-regulated bone cell functions such as the alkaline phosphatase activity. This novel method of surface modification of the biopolymer with bioactive ceramic has the potential for use in developing bone bioactive implantable materials. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.