Light‐curable composite of siloxane/hydroxyapatite prepared by the sol–gel process for bone defect treatment

Abstract The light‐curable composite of siloxane/hydroxyapatite (HA) had been successfully achieved by photopolymerization of a kind of gel combined tetraethoxyorthosilicate (TEOS) and 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MAPS) with siloxane‐modified nano‐HA (HA‐g‐Si). HA‐g‐Si was prepared by grafting reaction of 3‐isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane (IPS) onto the surface of HA. Then, TEOS and MAPS were mixed as precursor, and photoinitiator 2‐hydroxy‐4′‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐2‐methylpropiophenone (Irgacure 2959) and as‐prepared HA‐g‐Si were added into the precursor to form a homogenous and sticky gel. The movable gel that could be cured with UV light resulted in various sharp immovable composites of siloxane/HA in different mold. The HA, HA‐g‐Si nanoparticles, and composites were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and water contact angles. It could be a promising bone repairing material for orthopedic application. POLYM. COMPOS., © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.