Desenvolvimento de osso artificial de baixo custo aplicado na melhoria da qualidade de vida da população

Abstract

The search for synthetic biomaterials for application in bone grafts with characteristics more similar to natural bone has been the subject of studies by many researchers, since these materials with such characteristics impact in a positive way the quality of the population s life. In this context, the main objective of the present work is the development and the characterization of hybrid composites consisting of polypropylene (PP), niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (Ca3O8P2) and the avaliation of the effect of the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with antimicrobial characteristics, indicate as a better economic alternative for bone grafts applied to the dental area, is also one of this work s objectives. In order to achieve the proposed objectives, the effect of the incorporation of Nb2O5 and Ca3O8P2 in the PP matrix was investigated through conventional mechanical tests (traction, flexion impact), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), morphological tests by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microbiological analysis. In particular, it was performed microbiological tests for the hybrid composites containing AgNPs in order to evaluate the antimicrobial effect played by these particles against the Escherichia coli bacteria. The results, from the thermal analyzes, showed that the incorporation of the filler promoted the increase in the thermal stability and the degree of crystallinity in the final composites produced. The micrographs evidenced the occurrence of adhesion between the filler and the matrix and the formation of small particle agglomerates. Through the XRD analysis the formation of a subtle β phase in the PP was observed using 3.75% (w/w) of particles of Nb2O5 and a more intense β phase with the addition of 11,25% (w/w) of particles of Ca3O8P2. Besides that, the increase in the degree of crystallinity of the matrix by the incorporation of inorganic fillers was evidenced. The mechanical and microbiological analysis showed that the hybrid composites formulated with 3.75% Nb2O5 and 11.25% Ca3O8P2 stood out among the other composites analyzed. These hybrid composites doped with AgNPs showed greater control in the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria.