EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND TIME ON THE HOMOGENEITY OF POLYLACTIC ACID /HYDROXYAPATITE COMPOSITES FOR BONE SCAFFOLDS

One challenge in preparing polymer/ceramic composites is non-uniform ceramic particles distribution in a polymer matrix. This research evaluated the effect of stirring time and temperature on hydroxyapatite (HA) distribution through (polylactic acid) PLA matrix. Therefore, to mix the ceramic suspension with the polymer solution, three temperatures, namely 25, 37, and 45°C and four times including 6, 12, 24 and, 48 h were examined. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was used to investigate the bonds, which showed physical bond formation such as carboxyl-calcium-carboxyl between HA and polymer matrix, influenced on particles distribution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to observe particles distribution and determine samples homogeneity. To fulfill this goal, each obtained photograph representing the calcium presentation was split into nine equal sections, and a method based on the newly defined index called dispersion factor “α” was used to analyze the distribution. Results showed that the sample prepared at 37°C and 48 h had the topmost homogeneity properties.