Calcium phosphate cements reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals

Abstract

The most practical way to repair a bone defect of any size and in any part of the body would be through its replacement with a material which is chemically and morphologically similar to the bone matrix and which stimulates the new tissue growth while it is being degraded. In this context, calcium phosphate cements are excellent candidates, once, besides of being resorbable, they can be moldable into any shape and with a simple viscosity control they became injectable which eliminates the need for major surgical intervention. Furthermore, its setting occurs in vivo and without heat release. The main challenge for the employment of these materials is their extreme fragility, which limits their use to small defects in parts of the body, which does not undergo large mechanical stress. Thus, there are several research efforts trying to manufacture new systems of bone cements reinforced with fibers and "whiskers" without compromissing material's biological properties. In this manner, the aim of this project is to develop a new calcium phophate cement reinforced with celulose nanocrystals.