Preparation and characterization of a nano apatite/polyamide(6) bioactive composite

A novel biocomposite of nano-apatite (NA)/polyamide(6) (PA(6)) was prepared with a co-solution method. The NA with the size of 10-30 nm in diameter and 70-90 nm in length was uniformly distributed into PA6 matrix to form the composite. Molecular interaction and chemical bonding existed between NA and PA6, which greatly improved the mechanical properties and integrity of the composite. It was found that the composite with a high NA content (around 65%) has good homogeneity and mechanical strength, which are close to the natural bone. An interconnected porous material with porosity of 80% and mean pore size of approximately 300 mu m was prepared by an injecting foam method. When implanted into cortical bone, the composite combined directly with the natural bone without fibrous capsule tissue between implant and host bone. The results indicated that the NA/PA(6) composite has an excellent bioactivity. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.