Surface-modified biphasic calcium phosphate/poly (L-lactide) biocomposite

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) powders were prepared by hydrolyzation process and surface-modified by directly grafted L-lactide (LLA) onto the surface of BCP through a chemical linkage. The grafting ratio of organic groups was 9 wt%. After surface modification, the surface of BCP powders was covered by the lamella-shaped crystal. Poly (L-lactide) was mixed with BCP to form the BCP/PLLA biocomposite. Modified BCP (mBCP) particles could be uniformly dispersed in PLLA matrix. The compressive strength of the mBCP/PLLA composite is 115 MPa, 28% higher than that of unmodified-BCP/PLLA composite. The improved mechanical strength is attributed to the enhanced adhesion between the inorganic BCP filler and the organic PLLA matrix. Funded by the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (No. 20060610024)