Synthesis and characterization of biocomposite of bovine bone-based hydroxyapatite poly(lactic acid)-maleic anhydride

Abstract Human bone is a composite material of hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen. HA (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) is a biomaterial with the calcium to phosphorus ratio being similar to the natural bone composition. In this study, composite materials were prepared by using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a polymer matrix, maleic anhydride (MAH) as a compatibilizer, and natural HA extracted from cow bone (BHA) as a suitable mechanical support filler with positive surface properties. Composites with varying HA (10-30 wt. %), PLA, and with or without MAH (0.5–8 wt. %) were prepared by a thermal decomposition method at 900 ℃. In comparison to commercial HA (CHA), the effect of the PLA and MAH contribution on morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of BHA were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile strength measurements. As per the results, the HA30/PLA/4MAH composite with 30 wt. % HA, 66 wt. % PLA and 4 wt. % MAH offer the maximum mean tensile strength of 307.71 MPa. The overall results confirm the contribution of MAH compatibilizer in HA/PLA/MAH composite materials for bone tissue engineering from a mechanical point of view.