Characterization of PVDF/HAP composites for medical applications

• Main Authors: Francisco José Correa Braga, Sizue Ota Rogero, Antônio Augusto Couto, Rodrigo Fernando Costa Marques, Alexandre Antunes Ribeiro, João Sinézio de Carvalho Campos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Metalurgia e Materiais (ABM); Associação Brasileira de Cerâmica (ABC); Associação Brasileira de Polímeros (ABPol) 2007-09-01
• Series: Materials Research
• Subjects: polyvinylidene fluoride; polymer composites; biomaterials; hydroxyapatite
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-14392007000300005

Biomaterials (composites and blends) play a major role in the health of modern society. This paper reports on the preparation and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) composites, analyzing the incorporation of HAP in PVDF and investigating their mechanical properties and cytotoxicity (biocompatibility) for use in bone restoration and filling. The material was prepared in film form by the casting method. PVDF pellets were dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMA), a HAP/DMA emulsion was prepared. The materials were mixed in proportions of 100/00, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70 in weight and left to dry in an oven, resulting in homogeneous, flexible films which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X ray diffractometry (XRD), contact angle measurement, and by mechanical and cytotoxicity tests.