Bioinspired Nanocomposite Bone Pins: Fabrication, Evaluation, and Suitability for Orthopedic Implant Applications

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 526 540
    By

    Chandan A. Waghmare,

  • Rajanikant M. Kurane,

  • Santosh R. Patil,

  • Atharva Ningannavar,

  1. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar, Islampur, An Empowered Autonomous Institute Affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Sciences and Humanities, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar, Islampur, An Empowered Autonomous Institute Affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar, Islampur, An Empowered Autonomous Institute Affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
  4. Research Scholar, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar, Islampur, An Empowered Autonomous Institute Affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) requires scaffolds that mimic bone’s mineral–organic composition, offering mechanical strength, bioactivity, and degradation rates compatible with regeneration. Conventional metallic implants face corrosion and toxic ion release risks, while ceramics like hydroxyapatite (HAp) are bioactive but brittle. This study reports a multifunctional hybrid scaffold combining HAp for osteoconductivity; polycaprolactone (PCL) and collagen for flexibility and biocompatibility with sodium citrate for nanoparticle dispersion, ferrocene (Fc) for catalytic bioactivity; and graphene (Gr) for mechanical reinforcement and enhanced protein adsorption. The composite was synthesized via a tetrahydrofuran (THF)-mediated process ensuring uniform phase distribution. XRD confirmed HAp’s hexagonal phase (JCPDS 09-0432) with characteristic peaks at 2θ ≈ 27.5°, 31.8°, 34.6°, 39.5°, and 49.5°, alongside graphene’s (002) plane at ~26.5°. Raman and FTIR analyses revealed strong interfacial interactions, while DSC–TGA showed a 17% increase in thermal stability over pure PCL collagen systems. HR-TEM indicated nanoscale dispersion of graphene and HAp within the polymer matrix. MTT assays showed >95% viability for MCF10A epithelial cells and 93% for L929 fibroblasts after 72 h. Tribological tests revealed a 42% wear rate reduction compared to HAp–PCL scaffolds without graphene. Finite element simulations demonstrated a 38% increase in stress tolerance under compressive loading. The Young’s modulus was calculated as approximately 70 GPa, indicating adequate stiffness comparable to natural bone. Experimental compression and tensile tests performed per ISO 527–1 standard revealed compressive and tensile strengths of 92.4 MPa and 103 MPa, respectively, highlighting the material’s potential for orthopedic applications. Finite element simulations conducted in ANSYS Workbench demonstrated a linear elastic response with von Mises stresses ranging from 6.9 MPa to 9.7 MPa under compressive loads of 50–70 kg, confirming efficient load transfer and structural stability. This synergistic scaffold design overcomes brittleness, dispersion, and degradation mismatches, providing a bioactive, mechanically robust, and stable platform for next- generation bone regeneration.

Keywords: Bone tissue engineering, hydroxyapatite, polycaprolactone, graphene, biocompatibility, mechanical properties, finite element analysis.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Chandan A. Waghmare, Rajanikant M. Kurane, Santosh R. Patil, Atharva Ningannavar. Bioinspired Nanocomposite Bone Pins: Fabrication, Evaluation, and Suitability for Orthopedic Implant Applications. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):526-540.
How to cite this URL:
Chandan A. Waghmare, Rajanikant M. Kurane, Santosh R. Patil, Atharva Ningannavar. Bioinspired Nanocomposite Bone Pins: Fabrication, Evaluation, and Suitability for Orthopedic Implant Applications. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):526-540. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=237304


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Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 21/11/2025
Accepted 13/12/2025
Published 20/02/2026
Publication Time 91 Days
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