Effect of Mesoporous Bioactive Glass on the Morphology and Thermal Properties of PLA ‐Based Biocomposites for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The present study proposes the development of a potential biocomposite for bone regeneration by combining poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer, with bioactive glasses, bioceramics known for their osteoinductive properties and non‐toxicity. In this context, PLA biocomposites were prepared via melt processing using two types of bioactive glass: 45S BG and a synthesized mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), incorporated at 5 and 10 wt%. The incorporation of MBG preserved the rheological behavior of the PLA matrix and promoted a homogeneous dispersion of spherical, radially mesoporous particles, as confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses. Thermal analyses demonstrated that the PLA/MBG composites maintained the thermal stability and characteristic transition temperatures of the polymer. Mechanical testing revealed a significant enhancement in compressive modulus with increases of 166% and 150% for PLA/BG5% and PLA/MBG5% samples compared to neat PLA. Cytotoxic analyses indicated that incorporating both BGs into PLA does not impair long‐term cell viability, but higher MBG content promotes a more favorable initial cellular response. Overall, the results demonstrate that the combination of PLA with MBG leads to a biocomposite with improved mechanical performance while preserving thermal and biological properties, highlighting its potential application in bone regeneration.