In-vitro bioactivity of nanocrystalline and bulk larnite/chitosan composites: comparative study

A major problem in the field of hard tissue engineering is to develop a biomaterial which could allow the organ to regenerate itself completely by biological fixation. Silicate bioceramics are new hope in this field. Nanocrystalline larnite (Ca₂SiO₄) was prepared by sol–gel combustion method by using calcium nitrate/eggshell waste. XRD analysis of the synthesized product shows the formation of single phasic larnite and FT-IR spectrum confirms the presence of characteristic functional groups of larnite. In vitro bioactivity of different compositional ratio of larnite/chitosan has been investigated to study the influence of the ratio of constituents of composite on bioactivity. XRD pattern of the composite surface after bioactivity study reveals that the composite which mimics the ratio of bioceramic to biopolymer in natural bone shows good bioactivity and remarkable hydroxyapatite layer deposition. SEM images shows the hydroxyapatite particles deposited on the surface of eggshell derived larnite composite is highly agglomerated with the average particle size of 3–5 nm.