Abstract
Developing bioceramics-based nanomaterials for scaffolding is still a challenge. Three biocompatible materials are combined in one nanocomposite to fabricate antibacterial nanocomposite with higher mechanical properties. The nanocomposite contains hydroxyapatite (HAP), hematite (Fe2O3), and graphene oxide. The nanocomposite is examined chemically, structurally, and in vitro. The structural investigations showed a second minor phase with Fe2O3 which is FeO(OH). TEM investigated the shape morphology. There are two types of nanorods are detected which are small ones that belong to HAP, and long nanorods that belong to Fe2O3. Further, the nanosheets of GO are determined in addition to nano ellipsoids of FeOOH. The surface roughness is enhanced and Rq raised from 4.6 to 5.3 from pure HAP to HAP/Fe2O3/GO. The released ions rate of Fe3+ was constant for the first and second 12 h with a value of 2 ppm/h. The rate of Ca2+ decreased from 8 to 2.25 ppm/h for the first and second 12 h. Moreover, mechanical properties are enhanced and microhardness increased from 2.5 ± 0.1 to 3.1 ± 0.2 GPa. In addition, the shear modulus changed from 16.503 ± 1 to 20.45 ± 0.1 GPa. The antibacterial properties enhanced against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and reached 16.5 ± 0.5 and 17.2 ± 0.7 mm without showing cytotoxicity toward the human osteoblast cells.