Polyethylene Oxide and Silicon‑Substituted Hydroxyapatite Composite: A Biomaterial for Hard Tissue Engineering in Orthopedic and Spine Surgery

Tissue engineering and biomaterials have made it possible to innovate bone treatments for orthopedic and spine problems. The aim of this study is to develop a novel polyethylene oxide (PEO)/silicon‑substituted hydroxyapatite (Si‑HA) composite to be used as a scaffold for hard tissue engineering in orthopedic and spine procedures.

The composite was fabricated through the electrospinning technique. The applied voltage (5 kV) and PEO concentration (5%) were fixed. Processing parameters such as the flow rates (20 μl/min and 50 μl/min), distances from capillary tube to the collector (130 mm and 180 mm), spinning time (10 min and 20 min), and concentration of Si‑HA (0.2% and 0.6%) were explored to find the optimum conditions to produce fine composite fibers.

Scanning electron microscope images showed that 5% PEO, 5% PEO/0.2% Si‑HA, and 5% PEO/0.6% Si‑HA fibers were successively produced. Flow rates and working distances showed significant influence on the morphology of the polymeric and composite fibers. A high flow rate (50 μl/min) and a larger working distance (180 mm) resulted in larger fibers. The comparison between the mean fiber diameter of 5% PEO/0.2% Si‑HA and 5% PEO/0.6% Si‑HA showed to be significantly different. As the Si‑HA concentration increased, certain fibers were having particles of Si‑HA that were not properly integrated into the polymer matrix.

Synthesis of a novel biomaterial for hard tissue scaffold through electrospinning was successful. In general, PEO/Si‑HA fibers produced have the desired characteristics to mimic the extracellular matrix of bone.