Investigation of nanocomposites based on semi-interpenetrating network of [L-poly (ε-caprolactone)]/[net-poly (ε-caprolactone)] and hydroxyapatite nanocrystals

In this paper the semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) technique was used for the first time to prepare bone implant composites containing hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanocrystals. The prepared nanocomposites are expected to combine several property advantages including good mechanical strength, modified degradation rate and excellent osteoconductivity. The semi-IPN matrix based on the linear poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (L-PCL) and the network poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (net-PCL) structures are revealed to be phase separation structures. The morphology of net-PCL is featured by intracrosslinked microdomains (1-10mum) that further interconnect with each other to form the network over the whole sample. The net-PCL component is totally amorphous at room temperature for the nanocomposites containing HAP up to 12.3 wt%. Further, the crystallinity Of L-PCL is greatly decreased due to the presence of net-PCL as compared with that for pure L-PCL. The incorporation Of L-PCL into the net-PCL network could significantly improve the mechanical properties of pure net-PCL. A great improvement in mechanical properties is observed for the nanocomposites if the HAP content is increased to 15.8 wt%. This transition is in agreement with that the net-PCL component changes from amorphous state to crystalline state at this composition. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.