AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightDegradation rate of the composites decreased as the percentage of β-TCP in the structure increased.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Poly-D,L-Lactide/ε-caprolactone (PDLLA-ε-CL) and β-tri-calcium phosphate (β-TCP) composites were prepared as an alternative for injectable filling material in bone tissue repair. β-TCP was synthesized by a wet precipitation method and characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Zeta-SIZER and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyser. PDLLA-ε-CL copolymer was synthesized under nitrogen (N2) atmosphere using ring-opening polymerization in the presence of stannous octoate as a catalyst. The chemical structures of copolymers were determined by FTIR and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) analysis. The average molecular weights of copolymers were identified by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). (PDLLA-ε-CL)-β-TCP composites were then prepared by loading differing amounts of β-TCP to the copolymer phase. The resulting composites were easily shaped by hand. The degradation profiles of the composites were determined by monitoring the changes in the molecular weight of the co-polymers over a period of 42 days. Degradation rate of the composites decreased as the percentage of β-TCP in the structure increased.