Effect of Surfactant Addition on Properties and In- Vitro Behaviour of Tetracalcium Phosphate- Nanomonetite Cements

Tetracalcium phosphate nanomonetite cements have been prepared by reaction milling of tetracalcium phosphate with orthophosphoric acid ethanol solution, which was modified with different water content. The presence of nanomonetite phase significantly reduced the pH value of cement pastes during hardening. The fast transformation of reactants in cement powder mixtures was observed during hardening and no reactants were found in cements after 24 hours of hardening. The SDS addition influenced the microstructure and hydroxyapatite particle morphology in cement. The highest compressive strength (35 MPa) was measured in cement prepared without an SDS addition. The SDS adsorption on particles of powder mixtures caused a lowering of mechanical strength. Excellent initial cell attachment without any visible cytotoxicity and good osteoblast proliferation were observed on surfaces of cements synthesized from powders with water addition. Osteoblasts were well spread on surfaces with clearly visible filopodia. No initial cytotoxicities were observed. The cement with the SDS addition had lower osteoblast proliferation and ALP activity with prolongation of culturing.