Abstract

Agarose/hydroxyapatite (agar/HA) nanocomposites for load-bearing bone substitutes were successfully fabricated via a novel in situ precipitation method. Observation via SEM and TEM revealed that the spherical inorganic nanoparticles of approximately 50   nm were well dispersed in the organic matrix, and the crystallographic area combined closely with the amorphous area. The uniform dispersion of HA nanoparticles had prominent effect on improving the mechanical properties of the agar/HA nanocomposites (the highest elastic modulus: 1104.42   MPa; the highest compressive strength: 400.039   MPa), which proved to be potential load-bearing bone substitutes. The thermal stability of agarose and nanocomposites was also studied. The MG63 osteoblast-like cells on the composite disks displayed fusiform and polygonal morphology in the presence of HA, suggesting that the cell maturation was promoted. The results of cell proliferation and cell differentiation indicated that the cells cultured on the agar/HA composite disks significantly increased the alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition. The structural role of agarose in the composite system was investigated to better understand the effect of biopolymer on structure and properties of the composites. The optimal properties were the result of a comprehensive synergy of the components.