Selection Route of Precursor Materials in 3D Printing Composite Filament Development for Biomedical Applications

• Published in: Materials 2023-03, Vol.16 (6), p.2359
• Main Authors: Mocanu, Aura-Cătălina, Miculescu, Florin, Constantinescu, Andreea Elena, Pandele, Mădălina-Andreea, Voicu, Ștefan Ioan, Cîmpean, Anișoara, Miculescu, Marian, Negrescu, Andreea Mariana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3-D printers; 3D printing; ABS resins; Acrylonitrile; Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; Additive manufacturing; Bioceramics; Biocompatibility; Biological activity; Biological products; Biomedical materials; Biopolymers; Bones; Butadiene; Composite materials; Dental materials; Filaments; Graphene; Heat resistance; Hydroxyapatite; Medical equipment; Morphology; Orthopedics; Polyethylene terephthalate; Polylactic acid; Precursors; Raman spectroscopy; Reproducibility; Route selection; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Synthesis; Technology application; Thin plates; Three dimensional composites; Three dimensional printing; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma16062359

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing technologies might advance the fabrication sector of personalised biomaterials with high-tech precision. The selection of optimal precursor materials is considered the first key-step for the development of new printable filaments destined for the fabrication of products with diverse orthopaedic/dental applications. The selection route of precursor materials proposed in this study targeted two categories of materials: prime materials, for the polymeric matrix (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid (PLA)); and reinforcement materials (natural hydroxyapatite (HA) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) of different dimensions). HA was isolated from bovine bones (HA particles size < 40 μm, 125 μm) through a reproducible synthesis technology. The structural (FTIR-ATR, Raman spectroscopy), morphological (SEM), and, most importantly, in vitro (indirect and direct contact studies) features of all precursor materials were comparatively evaluated. The polymeric materials were also prepared in the form of thin plates, for an advanced cell viability assessment (direct contact studies). The overall results confirmed once again the reproducibility of the HA synthesis method. Moreover, the biological cytotoxicity assays established the safe selection of PLA as a future polymeric matrix, with GNP of grade M as a reinforcement and HA as a bioceramic. Therefore, the obtained results pinpointed these materials as optimal for future composite filament synthesis and the 3D printing of implantable structures.