The Influence of Nanohydroxyapatite on Selected Properties of Polyurethane-Based Bone Scaffold ^†

Polyurethanes (PUs) are defined as a large group of synthetic polymers that contain repeated urethane linkages in their backbone. The obtained polymer can differ in shape and properties, depending on the components and the synthesis process. for this reason, PUs are widely used in a vast range of applications. Due to their good biocompatibility, it is possible to manufacture polyurethane-based biomaterials as well. Another important advantage of polyurethanes is the ease of modification, using many types of fillers.

One of the most commonly used fillers in biomedical applications is hydroxyapatite (HAp), a calcium phosphate mineral. HAp-like compounds constitute around 65% of bone; therefore, HAp is a promising candidate for a synthetic bone modifier. PU-based materials with the addition of HAp can exhibit not only enhanced osteogenesis but also improved mechanical properties such as tensile strength and Young’s modulus.

In this work, polyurethane-based bone scaffolds manufactured using a two-step bulk polyaddition process were presented. The influence of various amounts of HAp content was investigated. The chemical structure of the samples was examined using spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical properties were evaluated by a compression test. Bioactivity of the material was investigated based on SEM images before and after incubation in a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution.