What it does
PLA composites with Tilapia-derived HAp (0–30 wt%) were developed and tested, showing that 20 wt% HAp with 1.3% silane treatment significantly improved strength and bonding, making it a promising material for biomedical applications.
Your inspiration
This project was inspired by the need for sustainable, affordable, and biocompatible materials in biomedical applications like bone scaffolds. While PLA is biodegradable, its mechanical limits led me to reinforce it with hydroxyapatite (HAp), a bone-like material. To reduce cost and waste, I used HAp extracted from Tilapia fish scales instead of synthetic sources. To improve compatibility between PLA and natural HAp, I applied silane surface treatment. This project allowed me to merge sustainability with engineering, aiming to create more accessible biomedical solutions.
How it works
This project creates a new material by combining biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with hydroxyapatite (HAp), a bone-like substance. To keep it sustainable and low-cost, I extracted HAp from discarded Tilapia fish scales instead of using synthetic versions. The HAp was mixed with melted PLA using an internal mixer, then formed into test samples using a hot press. As HAp does not mix well with PLA on its own, I treated it with silane to improve bonding and particle dispersion like adding glue to stick them together. I made several composite samples with different HAp amounts (0–30%), both with and without silane, and tested their mechanical strength and structure. The best results came from the sample with 20% HAp and 1.3% silane, which had the strongest bonding and best mechanical performance, showing promise for use in bone implants and scaffolds.
Design process
The design process began when I identified the need for a biodegradable, affordable, and strong material for bone scaffolds and implants. I selected PLA as the base polymer for its biodegradability, and reinforced it with hydroxyapatite (HAp) due to its similarity to bone minerals. To make the material more sustainable, I extracted HAp from discarded Tilapia fish scales instead of using synthetic sources. The HAp was cleaned, dried, and calcined, then treated with a silane coupling agent to improve compatibility with PLA. I blended PLA and HAp in various weight percentages (0–30%), with and without silane, using an internal mixer. The mixtures were hot-pressed into sheets, cooled, and cut into test specimens. I evaluated the composites using tensile, flexural, and impact tests, as well as FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses. The best results were achieved with 20 wt% HAp and 1.3% silane, confirming that silane treatment significantly enhanced bonding, dispersion, and mechanical performance.
How it is different
My design is unique because it uses hydroxyapatite (HAp) extracted from Tilapia fish scales, offering a low-cost and sustainable alternative to synthetic HAp. To improve compatibility with the PLA matrix, I applied a 1.3% silane surface treatment to the HAp. This helped disperse the particles more evenly and strengthened the bond between HAp and PLA. Unlike many PLA/HAp composites that suffer from weak mechanical properties due to poor bonding, my silane-treated composite showed enhanced tensile, flexural, and impact strength. This approach combines waste reduction, cost efficiency, and improved performance for biomedical use.
Future plans
Next, I plan to refine the PLA/HAp composite by exploring other natural HAp sources and testing various surface treatments to improve compatibility. I aim to conduct in-vitro biocompatibility tests to confirm safety for use in implants. I also plan to scale up production and explore 3D printing or injection moulding for complex biomedical structures. Long-term, I hope to collaborate with researchers, pursue patent protection, and explore commercialisation to support affordable, eco-friendly biomaterials for real-world healthcare applications.
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