Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Hybrid Nanocomposites of Biologically Extracted Hydroxyapatite/Hematite/Silicon Dioxide for Potential Use in Bone Replacement Applications

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is known to be an attractive biomaterial for use in orthopedic and dental applications. Notably, acquiring HA from natural sources is an excellent step toward doing so affordably while also reducing waste. Therefore, in this study, HA was obtained from camel bones and then mixed in different proportions with silicon dioxide (SiO2) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) in order to obtain nanocomposites with distinct physical, tribo-mechanical, electrical, magnetic and biological properties. The produced powders were then examined by SEM and XRD techniques. Additionally, measurements were made of their dielectric, physical, tribo-mechanical, magnetic, and antimicrobial properties. The results revealed that successive addition of SiO2 and α-Fe2O3 reduced the porosity of the tested samples by about 3.26, 19.56, 33.69 and 51.08% which is very close to the porosity value of cortical bone. Importantly, the compressive strength of the sample with the highest percentages of SiO2 and α-Fe2O3 was 102 MPa making it similar to that of cortical bone. Also, the addition of SiO2 and α-Fe2O3 to BHA reduced its wear rate by 0.47, 13.09, 15.47, and 21.90%. Furthermore, the presence of Fe2O3 improved the magnetic and antimicrobial properties of the tested samples. The latter findings could be useful for accelerating bone healing.