Swelling properties and bioactivity of silica gel/pHEMA nanocomposites

A novel hydrogel based on 2-hydroxyethylmethacrilate and SiO2 nanoparticles was prepared. The filler was added at a concentration of 30% w/w of silica nanoparticles to the mass of polymer. The composite material was characterised as far as concerns swelling behaviour in comparison to pHEMA. Swelling ratio of modified pHEMA was higher. Bioactivity of both SiO2 nanoparticles and the modified hydrogel was evaluated by soaking samples into a simulated body fluid (SBF). FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive system (EDS) results suggest silica nanoparticles keep bioactive in the polymer. SiO2 filler in a p(HEMA) matrix makes the composite bioactive. Therefore, these composites can be used to make bioactive scaffold for bone engineering.