NANOCRYSTALLINE HYDROXYAPATITE REINFORCED GLUTEN PLASTICS

Abstract

Nature has intelligent solutions for designing and building materials. Many of such important materials go to waste. Eggshells are a neglected waste and contain high-purity calcium. Wheat gluten is also an industrial byproduct with interesting plastic-forming properties. This study focused on utilizing eggshells biowaste for synthesizing high-value mineral hydroxyapatite (HAP), used in bone tissue engineering. Nano-hydroxyapatite was formed by less-energy intensive EDTA/ microwave-irradiation method, and the process was optimized. The synthesized hydroxyapatite was used in different combinations with wheat gluten, gelatin, and glycerol, to form novel composite materials, through thermo-compression molding and temperature-controlled extrusion. The composite formation was optimized for temperature, materials concentrations, and pressure of molding and extrusion. The products were analyzed by FTIR, XRD, and tested for moisture content, water vapor permeance, biodegradability, and tensile strength. Equal amounts of gluten and gelatin with less amount of HAP resulted in excellent quality and uniform strength composite materials. The synthesized materials showed good water-barrier properties and strength. These studies provide a new way of creating, modulating, and testing novel/ multifunctional materials for a wide variety of applications.