Smart polymer biocomposite material design and use in 3D printing

Biomaterials are natural or synthetic materials used to fulfill or support the functions of living tissues in the human body. Hydroxyapatite, one of these biomaterials, has been widely used in orthopedic implants due to its similarity to natural bone. However, clinical applications of hydroxyapatite are limited by its brittleness. Therefore, composite materials are needed to improve the mechanical, biocompatibility and biodegradability properties of existing biomaterials. In addition, innovative methods such as scaffold production with 3D printing method or nano biocomposite material production with hydrothermal method have increased their importance recently. This study consists of two stages. In the first stage, a non-proprietary, open-code 3D printer that was available on the market at affordable prices and allowed for some modifications was purchased, and this printer was converted into a 3D printer with a pellet extruder system. In the second stage, hydroxyapatite, chitosan and perlite nano powders were produced and the synthesis of hydroxyapatite-perlite, chitosan-perlite and hydroxyapatite-chitosan-perlite nano biocomposites was carried out by the hydrothermal method. Then, these nano biocomposites were added to polylactic acid (PLA) to produce biopolymer composites. Characterization of biocomposites was examined by SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR and Zeta Particle analyses. Finally, the shape memory properties of biopolymers and mechanical properties were analyzed with DSC analysis, tensile test and the printing parameters were examined in the 3D printer. As a result, biocomposites have been successfully synthesized. Additionally, 3D printing of biopolymers has been achieved.