Effect of Silica Content in the PMMA/Silica Nano-Composite on the Mechanical Properties and Growth Behavior of Calcium Phosphate Crystals during Cell Culture

Preparation of a Novel Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-Dimethyl Diethoxysilane Nano-Composite

The poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nano-composite made from trimethoxysilyl functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) and dimethyl diethoxysilane was newly prepared and its apatite-forming ability and mechanical properties were evaluated comparing to poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nano-composite made from trimethoxysilyl functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) and tetraethyl orthosilicate. Its apatite-forming ability was similar to that of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nano-composite using tetraethyl orthosilicate but its fracture toughness was much improved. Its high fracture toughness might come from the less quantity of siloxane linkages in its structure because dimethyl diethoxysilane had only two ethoxysilane groups while tetraethyl orthosilicate had four ethoxysilane groups. From the results, it can be concluded that it has a possibility to be used as bioactive bone cement.