Advances in Bioceramics for Bone Regeneration: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomimetics of Materials and Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2254

Special Issue Editors


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Department of Mechanics, University Politehnica of Bucharest, BN 002, 313 Splaiul Independentei, Sector 6, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: numerical simulation of ultrasound propagation; nondestructive ultrasonic technique for biomaterials; sound propagation simulation; nonlinear vibrations; plate vibrations; vibrations in aeronautical structures; finite element analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials are materials that are designed to interact with biological systems for either therapeutic or medical diagnostic purposes. Various biomaterials have been developed for use as synthetic bone graft substitutes, ranging from metals to polymers; however, bioceramics remain the most used materials. Furthermore, calcium orthophosphates (CaP), due to their similarity to the mineral phase of bones, are the most widely used. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is the only CaP that can be obtained both by precipitation in aqueous systems at low temperatures and by reaction in the solid state. HAp represents approximately 65% of the weight of bone tissue, but the properties of bone are not only explained by its composition but also by its complex structure.

In this Special Issue, we aim to bring together interdisciplinary studies focused on research on recent advances in the creation of innovative and functional nanostructured materials that could be used in bone generation.

Prof. Dr. Mihai Valentin Predoi
Dr. Simona Liliana Iconaru
Dr. Carmen Steluta Ciobanu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hydroxyapatite
  • calcium phosphate
  • biomaterials
  • bioceramics
  • bone regeneration

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

44 pages, 16961 KB  
Article
Physico-Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Spin-Coated Chromium-Doped Hydroxyapatite in Dextran Matrix Coatings
by Simona Liliana Iconaru, Steluta Carmen Ciobanu, Coralia Bleotu, Mikael Motelica-Heino and Daniela Predoi
Biomimetics 2026, 11(5), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11050327 - 7 May 2026
Abstract
This study reports on the physico-chemical and in vitro biological characterization of chromium-doped hydroxyapatite (10CrHAp, Cr3+, Ca10-xCrx(PO4)6(OH)2, xCr = 0.1) and chromium-doped hydroxyapatite in dextran matrix (10CrHAp-Dx) coatings, prepared for [...] Read more.
This study reports on the physico-chemical and in vitro biological characterization of chromium-doped hydroxyapatite (10CrHAp, Cr3+, Ca10-xCrx(PO4)6(OH)2, xCr = 0.1) and chromium-doped hydroxyapatite in dextran matrix (10CrHAp-Dx) coatings, prepared for the first time via the spin coating technique. X-ray diffraction analysis and Rietveld refinement were used to characterize the materials. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups specific to hydroxyapatite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed the presence of a conglomerate of nanoparticles distributed unevenly across the coatings surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that both coatings presented continuous surfaces with uniform morphology. The in vitro biocompatibility of 10CrHAp and 10CrHAp-Dx coatings was evaluated using human osteoblast-like MG63 cell line and MTT assay. SEM and MM visualization assessed the cell adhesion and proliferation and morphological changes in the adhered cells. The antibacterial properties of the 10CrHAp and 10CrHAp-Dx coatings was assessed in vitro against two of the most common bacterial reference strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Overall, the coatings achieved log reductions up to ~9.35, corresponding to a bacterial kill rate (for S. aureus) exceeding 99.99%, with 10CrHAp-Dx showing slightly superior performance. Similar behavior (log reductions of ~8.6 and ~8.9, respectively, indicating a sustained antibacterial effect and >99.99% bacterial elimination) was observed and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AFM was used to evaluate the bacterial cells interaction with the coating’s surfaces. The biological assays demonstrated that both coatings possess notable antibacterial activity, underscoring their potential in biomedical applications, particularly in the design of new antimicrobial devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioceramics for Bone Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
24 pages, 6350 KB  
Article
Composites Derived from Aluminium-Modified Biphasic Calcium-Phosphate for Bone Regeneration
by Raluca Lucacel-Ciceo, Roxana Dudric, Razvan Hirian, Iulia Lupan, Oana Koblicska, Roxana Strimbu, Radu George Hategan, Dorina Simedru and Zorita Diaconeasa
Biomimetics 2025, 10(12), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10120824 - 9 Dec 2025
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Abstract
In this research, aluminium-doped biphasic calcium phosphate (Al-BCP) was synthesized by co-precipitation and formulated with hydrolyzed collagen and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to yield composites designed as a new class of bone-regenerative biomaterials with enhanced biological performance. Undoped and Al-modified powders (5/10 wt% Al [...] Read more.
In this research, aluminium-doped biphasic calcium phosphate (Al-BCP) was synthesized by co-precipitation and formulated with hydrolyzed collagen and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to yield composites designed as a new class of bone-regenerative biomaterials with enhanced biological performance. Undoped and Al-modified powders (5/10 wt% Al precursor) were prepared at 40 °C (pH ~ 11) and calcined at 700 °C, and composites were produced at a 1:1:0.1 mass ratio (ceramic–collagen–ASA). Structure and chemistry were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphology and elemental distribution were examined by scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Biological performance was preliminarily evaluated using HaCaT (immortalized human keratinocytes) viability and antibacterial assays against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. XRD confirmed a biphasic hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate system and showed that Al incorporation shifted the phase balance toward hydroxyapatite (HAp fraction 54.8% in BCP vs. ~68.6–68.7% in Al-doped samples). FTIR/Raman preserved BCP vibrational signatures and revealed collagen/ASA bands in the composites. XPS/EDX verified the expected composition, including surface N 1s from organics and Al at ~2–5 at% for doped samples, with surface Ca/P ≈ 1.15–1.16. SEM revealed multigranular microstructures with homogeneous Al distribution. All composites were non-cytotoxic (≥70% viability); M_Al10_Col_ASA exceeded 90% viability at 12.5% dilution. Preliminary antibacterial assays against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains showed modest, time-dependent reductions in CFU relative to controls. These results corroborate the compositional/structural profile and preliminary biological performance of Al-BCP–collagen–ASA composites as multifunctional bone tissue engineering materials that foster a bone-friendly microenvironment, warranting further evaluation for bone regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioceramics for Bone Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 6668 KB  
Article
Fabrication and Characterization of Semi-Resorbable Bioactive Membrane Derived from Silk Fiber Sheet for Guided Bone Regeneration
by Kanokporn Santavalimp, Jirut Meesane, Juthakarn Thonglam, Kawintip Prasongyuenyong and Prisana Pripatnanont
Biomimetics 2025, 10(11), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10110790 - 20 Nov 2025
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Abstract
The barrier membrane is a key component in guided bone regeneration (GBR); however, there is no current commercially available membrane universally suitable for all clinical situations. The semi-resorbable bioactive barrier membrane derived from a silk fiber sheet (SF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and biphasic [...] Read more.
The barrier membrane is a key component in guided bone regeneration (GBR); however, there is no current commercially available membrane universally suitable for all clinical situations. The semi-resorbable bioactive barrier membrane derived from a silk fiber sheet (SF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) was fabricated to provide improved physical, mechanical, and bioactive properties. There were four experimental groups: PVA/SF, 1BCP/PVA/SF, 3BCP/PVA/SF, and 5BCP/PVA/SF. All fabricated membranes appeared white in color with a smooth texture; however, SEM images revealed a rougher top surface compared to the bottom surface. FTIR and DSC validated the presence of the SF and PVA with or without BCP. All membranes displayed high hydrophilicity, except the PVA/SF group, which remained hydrophobic on the bottom surface. The water uptake of all groups reached the plateau phase within 10 min. The degradation rate fell within the range of 5–20% over a three-month period. Both fibroblastic and osteoblastic cells attached and survived on the BCP-incorporated membranes, comparable to those observed in the commercially available ossifying collagen membrane. Among the fabricated membranes, the 3BCP/PVA/SF formulation demonstrated the most favorable physical, mechanical, and biological properties for GBR applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioceramics for Bone Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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