On the Bioactivity and Mechanical Properties of Gehlenite Nanobioceramic: A Comparative Study

For a new biomaterial which is going to be applied in bone tissue regeneration, bioactivity (bone bonding ability) and desirable mechanical properties are very essential parameters to take into consideration. In the present study, the gehlenite's mechanical properties and bioactivity are assessed and compared with hydroxyapatite (HA) for bone tissue regeneration.

Gehlenite and HA nanoparticles are synthesized through sol–gel method and coprecipitation technique, respectively, and their physical and chemical properties are characterized through X‑ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

The results prove that the gehlenite and HA phases without any undesirable phase are obtained, and the particles of both compounds are in the nanometer range with spherical morphology. The compressive strength of both compounds are assessed, and the values for gehlenite and HA disks are 144 ± 5 and 150 ± 4.8 MPa, respectively. Next, their bioactivity potential is assessed into simulated body fluid (SBF) up to 21 days, and the results show that after 14 days, gehlenite disk’s surface is completely covered with newly formed Ca‑P particles. However, some sporadic precipitations after 21 days soaking into SBF are formed onto the HA disk’s surface.

This comparative study shows that nanostructured gehlenite disk with desirable mechanical properties and faster bioactivity kinetic than HA can be considered as a promising bioceramic for bone tissue regeneration.