What is it about?
The composites (HA-MWCNTs) based on hydroxyapatite Ca5(OH)(PO4)3 and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are promising for use in orthopedics and bone surgery as a material for implants. A bioactive matrix made of HA hydroxyapatite is responsible for the high biocompatibility of the implant and integration with bone tissue. The small concentration of MWCNTs impurities (about 0.5 wt.%) allows for significantly improve physical properties. The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the thermal conductivity of the composite based on hydroxyapatite (HA), was analyzed. It was found that MWCNTs lead to an increase in the coefficient of thermal conductivity. This study was performed in the frame of the NRFU project No. 2020.02/0094
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Why is it important?
The appearance of bone defects is one of the possible injuries that significantly influence the quality of human life. The use of biomaterials and implants created on their basis allows the replacement of damaged parts of the human bones and renovates people’s potential to have an active life. The size and characteristics of implants depend on the mechanical properties of used biomaterials, including the modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and tensile strength. In addition, biomaterials should be biocompatible with bone tissue. Medical implants need further improvement due to the various problems with their mechanical, biological, and thermal characteristics. The use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcing additives allows for improving the mechanical characteristics of HA ceramics.
Perspectives
Factors such as interaction at the boundaries of HA-MWCNTs contacts, thermal stability and destruction of MWCNTs, as well as the degree of homogeneity of MWCNTs in the composite can influence the behavior of the thermal conductivity. High-temperature annealing can lead to changes in the anisotropy, structure, and properties of MWCNTs due to oxidation effects, which can affect the resulting properties of the HA–MWCNTs composite. These aspects should be investigated more for understanding the impact of thermal effects during sintering on the resulting properties of composites.
Maksym Barabashko
B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Influence of MWCNTs additives on the thermal conductivity of HA–MWCNTs composite, Low Temperature Physics, June 2023, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/10.0019431.
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