Characterization and application of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) family as composite biomaterials

Some polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers poly(hydroxybutyrs co-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)), were characterized by different techniques (GPC, DSC, DMA, FT DRX) in order to be used in hydroxyapatite (HA) composites. These polymers presented high molecu weights and are semicrystalline materials. The crystallinity has a slight tendency to decrease with increasing HV content in the copolymer, PHA/HA composites prepared at the same composition, show a lower elastic modulus than 0 and 8% HV content. The composite P(HB-co-8%HV)/HA (30% w/w) 1 the highest modulus. In addition, this composite has a mechanical strength in compression of 62 M which is about the same order of magnitude of several human bones and thus it is interesting as biomater for use in fracture fixation, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.