Gold nanoparticles as a modifying agent of ceramic-polymer composites

Abstract

Much effort has been invested in the development of biomaterials for the repair or replacement of hard tissue. The synthesis of composites based on mineral and organic constituents is nowadays extremely important for the development of materials for biomedical applications. In this paper we report the preparation and characterization of ceramic-polymer composites doped with gold nanoparticles. Properties and applications in medicine and dentistry of colloidal gold nanoparticles depends upon their size and shape. The influence of the presence of the metallic nanoparticles on the degradation process was investigated by pH and conductivity analyses of water filtrates. The nanocomposites were characterized with the use of X-ray Diffaction (XRD) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) methods. The results of in vitro tests confirmed that it is possible to produce hydroxyapatite/polymer (HA/polymer) composites doped with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for medical applications. Tests proved that content of gold nanoparticles in composites had influence on degradation behaviour of HA/Potymer/AuNPs in water environment.