BIOACTIVE PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HYDROXYAPATITE/ZINC OXIDE HYBRID REINFORCED BIO-BASED EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES FOR DENTISTRY

Abstract

In this work, hybrid reinforced epoxy biopolymer composites were developed using natural hydroxyapatite and zinc oxide (nHAp/ZnO). The epoxy was reinforced with varying addition of nHAp and ZnO in the steps of 3, 5 and 7 wt. % respectively using stir casting molding process. The developed composites were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37oC to determine their bioactivity. Microstructure evaluation using scanning electron microscopy was also used to assess the morphology of the developed composites before and after in vitro test, respectively. The microstructure evaluation in vitro showed good deposition of white-like layers on the surface indicating good bioactivity reaction with the SBF and affirm that the developed biopolymers will react well with living tissue when used in vivo. However, hybrid sample BP5HB showed better apatite-like layer deposition.