Development of novel polyanhydride/nanoceramics composite bone grafts with suitable mechanical strength and long durability

Different mole ratios of sebacic acid (SA) and 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) hexane (CPH) were used to make copolymer. g-HAP, hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanopowder surface-modified by polycaprolactone (PCL), was added with the copolymer to enhance the mechanical strength. Because of surface erosion, polyanhydride sustained the mechanical properties with time. The degradation of copolymer did not cause obvious decline in pH, and was thus less harmful to the osseous tissue. HAP is the main components of human bone and a good osteoinductive substance to help bone mineralization. The result of our study showed that CPH:SA = 7:3 added with10 wt% g-HAP was the best condition with maximum compress strength of 103 MPa. With slow degradation rate and durable mechanical strength, the novel biomaterial was suitable bone repair in future clinical application.