Fabrication of cellulose acetate/cellulose-HA composite films for bone fixation

Bone is a rigid and constantly remodeling organ, a type of tissue which provides support and protects organs in the body, and together they form the skeleton [1]. Materials generally used for implants bear tissue rejection and produce toxins on degradation [2]. Our objective is to synthesize a biocompatible composite of Hydroxyapatite (HA) and Cellulose using Cellulose Acetate as a matrix which mimics the properties of natural bone that can be used for bone replacements. Bone is composed of calcium phosphate (HA) and collagen, which gives bone desired properties [3]. Hydroxyapatite is the inorganic mineral found in the bone and is preferred due to its mechanical properties, biocompatibility, slow degradation in physiological environment and bioactivity [4]. Cellulose, structural component in plants is similar in properties to collagen therefore the properties of cellulose [4], HA and cellulose acetate are exploited to achieve our results. The experimental procedure is divided into two major steps; extraction of cellulose microfibers (CMF) from cotton followed by dispersion of cellulose and HA in cellulose acetate then casting membranes of the composite. The composite film is successfully fabricated through biometric route. The porous and flexible films obtained allow osteoconductivity and Hydroxyapatite growth in simulated body fluid. X-ray diffraction; scanning electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to characterize the films. (author)