Effect of Graphene Addition on Compressive Strength in Open-Pore Hydroxyapatite Foam Composites

Abstract

In this study, open porous hydroxyapatite (HA) foam composites were produced via the sponge template method for use in biomedical applications. Graphene (Gr) was added to the HA matrix at rates of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1 wt% to investigate its effects on structure and performance after sintering. The samples were sintered at 1300°C for 2 hours, and their bulk density, porosity, compressive strength, and microstructural properties were evaluated. Graphene addition had a significant effect on the structural integrity and mechanical properties of the HA foams. In particular, the sample with 0.3 wt% Gr achieved the highest density (0.768 g/cm³), lowest porosity (75%), and highest compressive strength (~0.152 MPa). This value corresponds to an approximately 2.5-fold increase in strength compared to pure HA foam. However, with a 1 wt% Gr addition, density and strength values decreased, while porosity increased. This is attributed to the high aggregation of graphene, leading to micropore formation. SEM-EDS images revealed a homogeneous distribution of 0.3 wt% Gr within the composite structure.

Keywords

• Foam composite
• Hydroxyapatite
• Graphene

Açık Gözenekli Hidroksiapatit Köpük Kompozitlerde Grafen Katkısının Basma Dayanımı Üzerine Etkisi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, biyomedikal uygulamalarda kullanılmak üzere sünger şablon yöntemiyle açık gözenekli hidroksiapatit (HA) köpük kompozitler üretilmiştir. Sinterleme sonrası yapı ve performans üzerindeki etkilerini incelemek amacıyla HA matrisine ağırlıkça %0,1, 0,3, 0,5 ve 1 oranlarında grafen (Gr) katkısı yapılmıştır. Numuneler 1300 °C’de 2 saat süreyle sinterlenmiş; deneysel yoğunluk, gözeneklilik, basma dayanımı ve mikroyapısal özellikleri değerlendirilmiştir. Grafen katkısı HA köpüklerin yapısal bütünlüğünü ve mekanik özelliklerini iyileştirmiştir. Özellikle ağ. %0,3 Gr katkılı numune, en yüksek yoğunluk (0,768 g/cm³), en düşük gözeneklilik (%75) ve en yüksek basma dayanımı (~0,152 MPa) değerlerine ulaşmıştır. Bu değer, saf HA köpüğe kıyasla yaklaşık 2,5 katlık bir dayanım artışına karşılık gelmektedir. Ancak ağ.%1 Gr katkısında yoğunluk ve dayanım değerleri düşerken, gözeneklilik artmıştır. Bu durum, grafenin yüksek oranlarda topaklanarak mikrogözenek oluşumuna neden olmasıyla ilişkilidir. SEM-EDS görüntüleri incelendiğinde ağ. %0,3 Gr katkısının kompozit yapıda homojen dağılım gösterdiği görülmüştür.

Keywords

• Köpük kompozit
• Hidroksiapatit
• Grafen

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