Development and characterisation of block copolymer/bioactive glass and block copolymer/TCP composite coatings obtained by EPD

Abstract

The aim of this work focused on the synthesis of composite coatings based on poly(dimethylsiloxane-blockε-caprolactone), Bioglass® (BG) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) particles deposited on stainless steel plates obtained by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. In vitro assessment was performed in simulated body fluid (SBF) to evaluate the potential uses of these coatings in tissue engineering. Thermal characterization from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that experimental [Polymer]:[mineral]e wt/wt ratios were 32:68 and 26:74 for coatings with BG and TCP, respectively. In addition, all coatings exhibited thicknesses ranging from 45.3 μm to 59.9 μm. Finally, the growth of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer on the coatings, after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), was evidenced by X-ray diffraction analysis. This last result suggests that the obtained coatings could be used as promising materials in bone tissue regeneration.