Novel polypropylene biocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and hydroxyapatite nanorods for bone replacements

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) of 0.1 and 0.3 wt.% and hydoxyapatite nanorods (nHAs) of 8–20 wt.% were incorporated into polypropylene (PP) to form biocomposites using melt-compounding and injection molding techniques. The structural, mechanical, thermal and in vitro cell responses of the PP/MWNT–nHA hybrids were investigated. Tensile and impact tests demonstrated that the MWNT additions are beneficial in enhancing the stiffness, tensile strength and impact toughness of the PP/nHA nanocomposites. According to thermal analysis, the nHA and MWNT fillers were found to be very effective to improve dimensional and thermal stability of PP. The results of osteoblast cell cultivation and dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) tests showed that the PP/MWNT–nHA nanocomposites are biocompatible. Such novel PP/MWNT–nHA hybrids are considered to be potential biomaterials for making orthopedic bone implants. - Highlights: ► Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and hydroxyapatite nanorods (nHA) are used as hybrid fillers to reinforce polypropylene. ► MWNT additions are beneficial in enhancing tensile strength and stiffness of PP/nHA composites. ► Hybridizing MWNT with nHA fillers enhance thermal and dimensional stability of PP significantly. ► Hybridizing MWNT with nHA greatly enhance osteoblast adhesion and proliferation. ► PP/MWNT–nHA composites show attractive applications as load-bearing materials in orthopedics