The effect of microwave irradiation on the synthesis of hydroxyapatite/biopolymer nanocomposites

Abstract

Microwave irradiation (MWI) in the synthesis of materials has been an actively developing branch of science for the last three decades. Structures based on calcium phosphates (CaP) are one of the most well-known and widely used synthetic biomaterials in orthopedics and dentistry. The main topic of this review is the use of MWI in the formation of biomaterials based on calcium phosphate phases and their complexes with biopolymers (chitosan, alginate, silk fibroin). The physical bases of MW interaction with different materials are considered, including the influence of this irradiation on the structure, physicochemical and mechanical properties of biomaterials (crystallite size, porosity, strength, capability to absorb and release drugs). The main heating mechanisms during MWI are described, namely: the dipolar losses, and losses of conductivity. Important advantages of MWI treatment are reducing processing time, reducing electricity use, reducing waste and improving quality of the synthesized biomaterials. A list and comparison is made of articles describing the production of HA crystals with different morphology (nanowires, spherical, needle- and rod-shaped) with all the initial conditions and their effect on the synthesized material. The latest developments in the field of biomaterials conducted based on the laboratory “Bionanocomposite” of Sumy State University are considered. The original synthesis method of CaP-biopolymer materials is described, as well as the advantages of the synthesized scaffolds over foreign developments. It is expected that this review of the interdisciplinary topic will contribute to the further study of other new applications of microwave technologies in the synthesis of the latest modern biomaterials created by scientists, biomedical engineers in other laboratories and institutions in Ukraine and around the world.