Bioactive and Biodegradable Polycaprolactone-Based Nanocomposite for Bone Repair Applications

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between the structure and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites reinforced with baghdadite, a newly introduced bioactive agent. The baghdadite nanoparticles were synthesised using the sol–gel method and incorporated into PCL films using the solvent casting technique. The results showed that adding baghdadite to PCL improved the nanocomposites’ tensile strength and elastic modulus, consistent with the results obtained from the prediction models of mechanical properties. The tensile strength increased from 16 to 21 MPa, and the elastic modulus enhanced from 149 to 194 MPa with fillers compared to test specimens without fillers. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were also improved, with the degradation temperature increasing from 388 °C to 402 °C when 10% baghdadite was added to PCL. Furthermore, it was found that the nanocomposites containing baghdadite showed an apatite-like layer on their surfaces when exposed to simulated body solution (SBF) for 28 days, especially in the film containing 20% nanoparticles (PB20), which exhibited higher apatite density. The addition of baghdadite nanoparticles into pure PCL also improved the viability of MG63 cells, increasing the viability percentage on day five from 103 in PCL to 136 in PB20. Additionally, PB20 showed a favourable degradation rate in PBS solution, increasing mass loss from 2.63 to 4.08 per cent over four weeks. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the structure–property relationships of biodegradable-bioactive nanocomposites, particularly those reinforced with new bioactive agents.