Survey and Evaluation of Merwinite (MW) as a New Nanobioceramic Powder

In this study, Merwinite (MW), has been successfully prepared by a modifiedsol-gel method. Optimization in calcination temperature and mechanical millingresulted in a pure and nano-sized powder which characterized by means of(XRD), (SEM), (TEM) and (FT–IR). We hypothesized that nano-sized MW wouldmimic more efficiently the nanocrystal structure and function of natural boneapatite, owing to the higher surface area, compared to conventional micronsizeMW. Mechanical grinding in a ceramic ball mill for 6 hours resulted in (MW)nanoparticles in the range of about 33- 55 nm. Conventional micron-size MWhad been previously investigated by many researchers but it is obviously differentfrom bone mineral in aspect of mimicking the mineral resorption process. Bonecrystals of natural hydroxyapatite (NHA ) are in nano-size dimensions and possessvery large surface area. In contrast micron-size particles with lower surface arealack the potency of homogeneous absorption by osteoclasts and miss the uniqueadvantage of nanotechnology for bioactivity and resorbability. Hence, we usedthe unique advantage of nano- biotechnology to improve novel nano merwinite(NMW) particles as a good candidate for tissue regeneration whether as a peri -implant filling powder or in combination with other biomaterials as a compositescaffold.