Bone substitute of poly(amino acid)/β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ biocomposite: Degradability and bioactivity

A poly(amino acid)/β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ (PAA/β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ ) bioactive composite was prepared by in situ melting polymerization. The composition, structure, and morphology were characterized by infrared spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimeter. The results indicated that the β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ particles were uniformly distributed in the PAA matrix and some interaction was found at the interface between PAA and β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ . The crystallinity of PAA in the composite was found decreasing with the increase of β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ content. The bioactivity of the composite was evaluated by soaking the composite in simulated body fluid (SBF) and results showed that the PAA/β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ composite (PSC) could induce a dense and continuous layer of apatite after soaking for 1 week. In addition, the PSC was soaked SBF for 2 months, and the weight loss reached 8.77%, showing the composite could be degradable. Collectively, these results suggested that the incorporation of β‐Ca ₂ SiO ₄ produced a biocomposite with enhanced bioactivity and might have potential applications as a bone tissue substitute. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1335–1341, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers