Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and hydroxyapatite nanorods reinforced with polypropylene for biomedical application

• Main Authors: Ahmed Khan, Fahad Saleem, Mubarak, N. M., Mohammad Khalid, Mohammad Khalid, Walvekar, Rashmi, Abdullah, E. C., Ahmad, Awais, Karri, Rama Rao, Pakalapati, Harshini
• Format: Article
• Published: Nature Research 2021
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/94881/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80767-3

Modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) and hydroxyapatite nanorods (n-HA) were reinforced into polypropylene (PP) with the support of a melt compounding approach. Varying composition of f-MWCNTs (0.1–0.3 wt.%) and nHA (15–20 wt.%) were reinforced into PP, to obtain biocomposites of different compositions. The morphology, thermal and mechanical characteristics of PP/n-HA/f-MWCNTs were observed. Tensile studies reflected that the addition of f-MWCNTs is advantageous in improving the tensile strength of PP/n-HA nanocomposites but decreases its Young’s modulus significantly. Based on the thermal study, the f-MWCNTs and n-HA were known to be adequate to enhance PP’s thermal and dimensional stability. Furthermore, MTT studies proved that PP/n-HA/f-MWCNTs are biocompatible. Consequently, f-MWCNTs and n-HA reinforced into PP may be a promising nanocomposite in orthopedics industry applications such as the human subchondral bone i.e. patella and cartilage and fabricating certain light-loaded implants.