Biocompatible Polyvinylidene Fluoride Composites Reinforced With Mutiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Description

Development of biomaterials for orthopedic bone replacement applications is of significant importance to the health welfare of Hong Kong. This is due to a large number of patients suffers from bone cancer, traffic accident and other bone injury. Biomaterials should exhibit mechanical properties close to those of human bones and possess excellent biocompatibility in order to stimulate bone cell adhesion and growth. Biocomposites based on polyvinylidene fluoride reinforced with low content of multiwalled carbon nanotubes are anticipated to exhibit excellent mechanical performance and biocompatibily. This is because carbon nanotubes exhibit low density, high flexibility, excellent mechanical strength and stiffness as well as superior biocompatibility. Furthermore, polyvinylidene fluoride is a semi-crystalline polymer having remarkable thermal stability and good chemical resistance. PVDF is widely used in pharmaceutical industry due to its inertness.In this project, PVDF/carbon nanotube composites will be prepared by high-shear rate melt mixing followed by injection molding. The structure, mechanical and biocompatibility behaviors of such composites will be investigated. PVDF/carbon nanotube composites with excellent mechanical performance and biocompatibility are considered to be potential bone implant materials for orthopedic applications.