M Imani - Department of Novel Drug Delivery Systems, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Tehran
M Atai
H Mobedi
H Askari

Novel nanocomposites were prepared for biomedical applications including bone filler and substitute in different compositions. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) of multiple acrylate functionality was used as a nano-sized filler also crosslinking agent embedded in a polymeric matrix composed of aliphatic unsaturated polyester resins endcapped with acrylate functional groups e.g. poly(e-caprolactone diacrylate). Nanocomposites were prepared via visible light photo crosslinking of compounds comprised of a homogeneous mixture of the resin, nano-filler, photo initiator and accelerating agent. After through characterization of the networks via different analytical techniques, nano-mechanical properties were also evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in indentation and scratch modes using a Berkovich tip. Stiffness and elastic modulus were significantly improved in higher POSS contents however; hardness and scratch work were decreased from its maximum at 2% with increasing in filler content. High values were observed for elastic recovery even for all nanocomposites. Friction and scratch coefficient were also determined. Biological application of the nanocomposites is also reported.

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS); Unsaturated Aliphatic Polyesters; Nanocomposites;Nano-Mechanical Analysis