Bioactive Composite Materials for Bone Tissue Applications

Two materials with potential application in bone tissue repair have been developed: 1) a non-biodegradable composite based in a new methacrylic-co-acrylic matrix; and 2) a biodegradable composite based in a chitosan (Ch) matrix. Both matrices were reinforced with glass-ceramic particles of composition (mol%) 70 SiO2 – 30 CaO. The in vitro bioactivity of composites was assessed by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for periods of up to 7 days at 37o C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were used for deposit identification after different soaking periods. Calcium phosphate particulate deposits were detected after 3 days of immersion, followed by growth and maturation towards apatite.