Nanostructural characteristics, mechanical properties, and osteoblast response of spark plasma sintered hydroxyapatite

  1. H. Li1,†,*,
  2. K.A. Khor1,
  3. V. Chow1,
  4. P. Cheang2

Article first published online: 1 FEB 2007

DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.31143

Issue

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A

Volume 82A, Issue 2, pages 296–303, August 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Li, H., Khor, K.A., Chow, V. and Cheang, P. (2007), Nanostructural characteristics, mechanical properties, and osteoblast response of spark plasma sintered hydroxyapatite. J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 82A: 296–303. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.31143

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

  2. 2

    School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

  1. †

    Biology Department, 50 Bell Avenue, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA

*School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 JUN 2007
  2. Article first published online: 1 FEB 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 13 OCT 2006
  4. Manuscript Revised: 16 JUN 2006
  5. Manuscript Received: 3 APR 2006

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Keywords:

  • hydroxyapatite;
  • spark plasma sintering;
  • nanostructures;
  • Young's modulus;
  • fracture toughness;
  • osteoblast cell

Abstract

This study aimed to fabricate bulk nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) pellets with improved properties using spark plasma sintering (SPS) for orthopedic applications. Spray-dried nanostructured HA (nSD-HA) powders were consolidated using the rapid SPS processing. The SPS processed nSD-HA was characterized using Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Mechanical properties of the consolidates were also evaluated through indentation approach. The nanostructures (∼80 nm in grain size) of the starting powders were successfully retained after the SPS processing operated at 950°C with <15 min holding time. The SPS consolidated nSD-HA showed promising mechanical properties, ∼118 GPa for Young's modulus, and up to 2.22 MPa m0.5 for fracture toughness. SPS holding time showed minor influence on the phases of the pellets. Furthermore, the spheroidized nanostructured HA retained the HA structure after the SPS consolidation. Preliminary cytotoxicity and cell attachment studies were also carried out using a human osteoblast cell line hFOB 1.19. Enhanced cell attachment and proliferation on the nanostructured pellets were revealed. The presence of the nanostructures accounts mainly for the enhanced mechanical properties and promoted proliferation of the osteoblast cells. This study suggests that the SPS technique is an appropriate process for fabrication of bulk nSD-HA from nanostructured powder. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007

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