Carbon nanotubes, graphene and boron nitride nanotubes reinforced bioactive ceramics for bone repair

Publication date: Available online 10 May 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Chengde Gao, Pei Feng, Shuping Peng, Cijun Shuai
The high brittleness and low strength of bioactive ceramics severely restricted their applications in bone repair despite they have been regarded as the most promising biomaterials. In the last few years, low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs), including carbon nanotubes, graphene and boron nitride nanotubes, have gained increasing attention owing to the favorable biocompatibility, large surface specific area and super mechanical properties, which makes LDNs potential nanofillers in reinforcing bioactive ceramics. In this review, the types, characteristics and applications of the commonly used LDNs in ceramic composites are summarized. And the fabrication methods for LDNs/ceramic composites, such as hot pressing, spark plasma sintering and selective laser sintering, are systematically reviewed and compared. Emphases are placed on how to obtain the uniform dispersion of LDNs in ceramic matrix and maintain the structural stability of LDNs during the high-temperature fabrication process of ceramics. Afterwards, the reinforcing mechanisms of LDNs in ceramic composites are discussed in-depth. Moreover, the in vitro and in vivo studies of LDNs/ceramic in bone repair are summarized and discussed. Finally, new developments and potential applications of LDNs/ceramic composites are further prospected on the basis of experimental and theoretical studies.Statement of SignificanceDespite bioactive ceramics have been regarded as promising biomaterials, the high brittleness and low strength severely restrict their applications in bone scaffolds. In recent years, low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs), including carbon nanotubes, graphene and boron nitride nanotubes, have shown great potential in reinforcing bioactive ceramics owing to their unique structures and properties. However, the fabrication methods for LDNs/ceramic composites so far are difficult to maintain the structural stability of LDNs due to the long-time and high-temperature process. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the developments and applications of LDNs in bioactive ceramics. Moreover, the newly-developed fabrication methods for LDNs/ceramic composites, the reinforcing mechanisms and in vitro and in vivo performance of LDNs are also summarized and discussed in details.

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