Synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of a polysialate-hydroxyapatite composite for potential biomedical application

LCSIM (UMR 6511) , Groupe de Cristallochimie et Biomatériaux, Bât. 10B, Campus de Beaulieu, 263 avenue du Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France

Corresponding author: hassane.oudadesse@univ-rennes1.fr

Received: 2 November 2001
Revised: 11 June 2002
Accepted: 20 June 2002
Published online: 12 September 2002

Abstract

New composite materials based on aluminosilicate materials were developed to be used in orthopaedic or maxillo-facial surgery. They are called geopolymers or polysialate-siloxo (PSS) and were studied alone or mixed with hydroxyapatite (HAP). The properties of these materials were investigated for potential use in biological or surgery applications. In this work, the chemistry involved in materials preparation was described. Samples were characterized by some physico-chemical methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectrometry (IR) and electron dispersion X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Results indicate that the mixing hydroxyapatite-geopolymer (PSS) leads to a neutral porous composite material with interesting physico-chemical properties. A preliminary evaluation of its cytotoxicity reveals an harmlessness towards fibroblasts. These properties allow to envisage this association as a potential biomaterial.