Papers by Author: E.S. Thian

Abstract: Fine nanoapatite relics were deposited on glass substrates by electrohydrodynamic atomisation, using nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), nano-carbonated hydroxyapatite (nCHA) and nanosilicon- substituted hydroxyapatite (nSiHA) suspensions. These electrosprayed nanoapatites were evaluated in-vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF) and human osteoblast (HOB) cells. The SBF study revealed that newly-formed apatite layers were observed on the surface of the relics. Furthermore, enhanced HOB cell growth was observed on each of the nanoapatites at all time points. Hence, this work demonstrated that electrosprayed nanoapatites offer considerable potential as biomaterials.

Abstract: In this study, a biocomposite comprising nanostructured α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) in a poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix was fabricated by a modified solution evaporation method. As a potential temporary bone fixation and substitution material, its bioactivity was evaluated by its ability to form bone-like apatite layer in simulated body fluid (SBF). Owing to the increased surface area covered by the osteoconductive bioceramic of α-TCP, rapid apatite formation was observed. After 7 days of immersion, enhanced nucleation of apatite was observed on the nanocomposite. At day 14, dense lamellar-like apatite was formed on the nanocomposite whilst apatite nucleation had only just started to develop on the surface of pure PLGA. At the same time, a preliminary in-vitro cell culture study was conducted using human osteoblast-like (HOB) cells. A significant increase in cell number with culturing time was observed for the nanocomposite. After 9 days incubation, a confluent lamellar-like apatite layer was formed on the composite surface. This apatite layer was also shown beneath the proliferating HOB cells at Day 16.

Abstract: Crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) and 0.8 wt.% silicon-substituted HA (SiHA) thin films were produced using magnetron co-sputtering. These films were subjected to contact angle measurements and in vitro cell culture study using human osteoblast-like (HOB) cells. A wettability study showed that SiHA has a lower contact angle, and thus is more hydrophilic in nature, as compared to HA. Consequently, enhanced cell growth was observed on SiHA at all time-points. Furthermore, distinct and well-developed actin filaments could be seen within HOB cells on SiHA. Thus, this work demonstrated that the surface properties of the coating may be modified by the substitution of Si into the HA structure.

Abstract: α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) was prepared by a wet precipitation reaction between calcium hydroxide and orthophosphoric acid solutions. The as-synthesised powder was then characterised using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscope (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR). Analyses revealed that a phase-pure powder with a Ca/P ratio of 1.5 was produced. In addition, nanosized α-TCP particles of diameter ~ 70 nm were agglomerated to form larger particles of 10μm in diameter. It was found that by the combination of attritor milling and solution evaporation, the agglomerates of α-TCP nanoparticles could be broken down, and distributed evenly within the poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix. Thus, a α-TCP/PLGA nanocomposite was successfully produced by a modified solution evaporation method at room temperature followed by hot pressing at 150 °C. The achievable ceramic loading was approximately 38 wt.%, which was confirmed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).

Abstract: A Bioglass® reinforced polyethylene (Bioglass®/polyethylene) composite has been prepared, which combines the high bioactivity of Bioglass® and the toughness of polyethylene. The spatial distribution of Bioglass® particles within the composite is important for the performance of composites in-vivo. Recent developments in X-ray microtomography (XμT) have made it possible to visualize internal and microstructural details with different X-ray absorbencies, nondestructively, and to acquire 3D information at high spatial resolution. In this study, the volume fraction and 3D spatial distribution of Bioglass® particles has been acquired quantitatively by XμT. The information obtained provides a foundation for understanding the mechanical and bioactive properties of the Bioglass®/polyethylene composites.

Abstract: Nanostructured hydroxyapatite (nHA) thin coatings of thickness 0.5 µm have been successfully produced using a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering technique, through careful selection and control of the processing conditions. nHA coatings were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) to determine the rate of nucleation and growth of an apatite layer on their surface. A dense, newlyformed apatite layer with similar characteristics to that of the biological bone apatite, was observed after 7 days of immersion in SBF. X-ray diffraction and infrared analyses confirmed this layer to be calcium-deficient nanocrystalline carbonate HA. All these results demonstrated that the novel nHA coatings were highly bioactive, and the time-frame required to form a dense apatite layer was reduced significantly as compared to the micrometer-sized, sintered HA pellets (from 28 days to 7 days).

Abstract: 0.8 wt.% silicon-containing hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) thin films of thickness 600 nm have been successfully developed using a magnetron co-sputtering technique, through careful selection and control of the processing conditions. These films were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) to investigate the nucleation and growth of an apatite layer on their surfaces. A newly-formed apatite layer with similar characteristics to that of the biological bone apatite, was observed after 4 days of immersion in SBF. X-ray diffraction and infrared analyses confirmed this layer to be calciumdeficient micro-crystalline carbonate HA. These results demonstrated that the novel Si-HA films were highly bioactive and the time frame required for apatite formation was reduced by approximately 76 % (from 17 days to 4 days).