Customization of mechanical properties and porosity of bone tissue scaffold materials via Layer-by-Layer assembly of polymer-nanocomposite coatings. Issue 1793 (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ziminska, M.; Dunne, N.; Hamilton, A.
• Editors: Heinz, H.; Tamerler, C.; Hayamizu, Y.; Perry, C.C.
• Is Part Of: MRS proceedings. Issue 1793(2015)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: thin film, -- nanostructure, -- layered; Electrical engineering -- Congresses; Physics -- Congresses; Materials -- Research -- Congresses; Materials science -- Congresses; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/opl.2015.827
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-9172

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this preliminary study was to adapt Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly to fabricate nanocomposite coatings onto open-cell porous structures, enabling customization of mechanical properties and porosity to obtain materials suitable for bone tissue scaffold applications. LbL assembly is a well-established method for fabricating multilayer films with nanometre scale precision over thickness that is based on electrostatic attractions and involves the adsorption of oppositely charged electrolytes onto a substrate. Using LbL assembly, polymer-nanoclay composite coatings were deposited onto open-cell foam substrates. The elastic modulus of coated specimens in compression was improved from 0.078 MPa to 1.736 MPa. The results suggest that polymer-nanoclay coatings deposited via LbL assembly have the potential to improve mechanical properties of porous substrates and fabricate materials with mechanical properties comparable to that of a cancellous bone tissue upon deposition of a sufficient number of multilayers.