Microcharacterization of a new injectable polymer/ceramic composite as bone substitute in spine surgery

The results of microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of a mixture of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) powder and cellulose ether aqueous sol are reported in this study. This new composite is injectable and is aimed to be used as bone substitute for spine surgery. The influence of the polymer on the physico-chemical properties of BCP was investigated by complementary techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared and Raman spectroscopies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). When brought into contact with the polymer solution, the ceramic is modified in its granulometry, crystallinity, and surface chemistry. A dissolution/precipitation reaction occurs, leading to a phosphorus-rich and amorphous outer layer of the ceramic surface. Moreover, the bonding state of the composite involves new features that could be assigned to calcium complexes (calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide).