COMPOSITE MATERIALS PRODUCED FROM HYDROXYAPATITE GLASS CERAMICS AND CARBON NANOSTRUCTURED FIBERS: PREPARATION, PHASE  COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE 

Abstract

The phase composition and structure of biogenic hydroxyapatite/glass/carbon fiber composites were studied in view of their potential medical applications. Calcium phosphate glass ceramics produced from biogenic hydroxyapatite and activated nanostructured carbon fibres material were used as the starting materials. The starting glass ceramics, which is a bioactive material and can be used to replace defective parts of bone tissue, was prepared by sintering powder mixtures of biogenic hydroxyapatite and sodium borosilicate glass. The starting activated nanostructured carbon fibres material, which can be used as a drug delivery systems due to its structure, surface morphology, and internal pore structure, was produced by controlled step pyrolysis of cellulose hydrate fibers. To prepare the composites, the activated nanostructured carbon fibrous material was impregnated with glass-ceramic slurry, dried at up to 40 °C followed by stepwise heat treatment at 800 °C. The phase composition of the prepared materials was monitored by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and IR spectroscopy. The structure was examined by scanning electron microscopy. According to XRD and IR spectroscopy, the prepared composite biogenic hydroxyapatite/glass/carbon fibers contained only the crystalline hydroxyapatite phase and amorphous sodium borosilicate glass and carbon nanostructures. The study of the microstructure and fracture morphology of the composites revealed a porous amorphous–crystalline microstructure with a complex specific relief, carbon fibers, and a developed micro- and macropore system. The biogenic hydroxyapatite/glass/carbon fiber composites retain the phase composition and nanostructure of the starting materials and are promising for medical applications.