Synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of composites of hydroxyapatite and hexagonal boron nitride

Hydroxyapatite (HA), obtained from bovine bones, was successfully reinforced with hexagonal boron nitrite (h‐BN). h‐BN/HA composites, with BN content up to 1.5 wt %, were sintered at various temperatures between 1000 and 1300°C, in air. Well‐sintered samples were obtained after sintering at 1200 and 1300°C. The presence of h‐BN contributed to dense, fine, and well‐crystallized microstructure. The results of X‐ray diffraction analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy showed that the produced composites comprised biphasic β‐TCP/HCA (HCA: carbonate partially substituted HA). High values of mechanical properties were achieved, namely compression strength 155 MPa for the sample 0.5% h‐BN/HA and Vickers microhardness of 716 HV for the samples 1.5% h‐BN/HA, both sintered at 1300°C. U2OS human bone osteosarcoma proliferation and cell viability showed no adverse effect in the presence of h‐BN/HA, suggesting the potential use of the produced materials as safe biomaterials in bone tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2384–2392, 2018.