M. Ipek

Microwave–assisted biomimetic synthesis of hydroxyapatite using different sources of calcium

In this study, some properties of biomimetic synthesized hydroxyapatite by using different sources of calcium were investigated. Biomimetic synthesis of hydroxyapatite was carried out in microwave oven using 1.5 simulated body fluid (SBF) solution having different calcium sources with 800W power for 15min. As phosphorus source di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) while for each sample as a calcium sources calcium chloride (CaCl2), calcium nitrate tetra hydrate (Ca(NO3)2·4H2O) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) were utilized, respectively. For comparison, precipitation process was also performed in only 1.5 SBF solution without calcium and phosphorus sources. The presence of phases in synthesized hydroxyapatite was confirmed by XRD. The crystallinity and crystalline size of the phases in as synthesized powders were also calculated by using XRD data. It was found that the unique phase is hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca5(PO4)3(OH)) by using the calcium nitrate tetra hydrate and calcium hydroxide sources, while the dominant phases are tri-calcium phosphates (TCP) and HAp for CaCl2 source and 1.5SBF which does not contain any additional Ca source. SEM studies revealed that nano-hexagonal rods and nano-spherical hydroxyapatites could be synthesized by using this process. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the Ca/P ratio near to be as 1.5 which is the value for HAp in bone. Raman and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results combined with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that dominantly the present of single phase is HAp. The crystal size and fraction crystallinity of as synthesized HAp powders were changed between 29.5 and 45.4nm and 0.53-2.37, respectively. Results showed that microwave assisted biomimetic synthesis is a promising method for obtaining HAp powders in shorter process time.

An evaluation of human articular cartilage on femoral head

In this study, we investigated stress relaxation behavior of the human articular cartilage on femoral head. Articular cartilage is a white dense connective tissue that covers the bone ends within diarthrodial joints and works as a weight-transmitting and energy-absorbing material. Human articular cartilage on femoral head was used as test material. Relaxation tests were carried out by using the indentation technique via Instron Universal Testing Machine. Test materials were investigated in an isotonic salt solution at 37 °C. To keep the temperature constant, two vessels being in each other were utilized. Thus, hot water was circulated in the outer vessel and isotonic salt solution was kept in the inner vessel. Experimental results showed that there is a remarkable difference between normal and degenerated cartilage for the same age and sex. It was observed that the relaxation percent of normal cartilage as a function of relaxation time is much higher than that of degenerated cartilage.

3D porous collagen/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube/chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

In this study, we describe new collagen/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube/chitosan/hydroxyapatite (Col/f-MWCNT/CS/HA) composite scaffolds which were fabricated by freezing (-40 °C at 0.9 °C/min) and lyophilization (48 h, 0 °C and 200 mtorr). The compressive stresses (from 523 to 1112 kPa), swelling (from 513.9 ± 27 to 481.05 ± 25%), porosity (from 98 ± 0.15 to 95.7 ± 0.1%), contact angle (from 87.8 to 76.7°) properties examined before and after biomineralization for comparison 3D porous Col, CS, Col/f-MWCNT and Col/f-MWCNT/CS scaffolds. Biomineralization was performed by biomimetic method in concentrated SBF (10 × SBF, at 37 °C and 6.5 pH). XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR, TGA, Optical microscopy and BET results showed that compared to Col, CS and Col/f-MWCNT scaffolds, Col/f-MWCNT/CS scaffolds had higher in vitro bioactivity, large surface area (11.746 m2/g) and a good pore volume (0.026 cc/g), interconnected porous microstructure (with 20-350 μm pore size) and incorporates the advantageous properties of both Col, f-MWCNT, CS and HA. Finally, the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate scaffolds cytotoxicity which showed that Col/f-MWCNT/CS scaffolds have the best biocompatibility.

Rapid Synthesis of Metallic Reinforced in Situ Intermetallic Composites in Ti-Al-Nb System via Resistive Sintering

Abstract Intermetallics are known as a group of materials that draws attention with their features such as ordered structure, high temperature resistance, high hardness and low density. In this paper, it is aimed to obtain intermetallic matrix composites and also to maintain some ductile Nb and Ti metallic phase by using 99.5% purity, 35-44 μm particle size titanium, niobium and aluminium powders in one step via recently developed powder metallurgy processing technique - Electric current activated/assisted sintering system (ECAS). In this way, metallic reinforced intermetallic matrix composites were produced. Dominant phases of TiAl3 and NbAl3 which were the first compounds formed between peritectic reaction of solid titanium, niobium and molten aluminum in Ti-Al-Nb system during 10, 30 and 90 s for 2000 A current and 1.5-2.0 voltage were detected by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. Hardness values of the test samples were measured by Vickers indentation technique and it was detected that the hardnesses of intermetallic phases as 411 HVN whereas ductile metallic phase as 120 HVN.