Article

Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Controlled Degradation of PLA/ZnO Nanoparticle Composites for Biodegradable Implants

Muzamil HussainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal 57000, PakistanAli B.M. AliAdvanced Technical College, University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, IraqShahzad Maqsood KhanDepartment of Mathematics, Namal University, Mianwali, 42250, PakistanMuhammad ShafiqDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Polymer & Textile Engineering, University of the Punjab, Lahore 42000, PakistanMuhammad Tuoqeer AnwarMaterial Science and Engineering Department, College of Engineering & Energy, Abdullah Al Salem University (AASU), KuwaitSami Ullah KhanDepartment of Mathematics, Namal University, Mianwali, 42250, PakistanFeruza UmirqulovDepartment of Medicine, Termez University of Economics and Service, Termez, UzbekistanM. Ijaz KhanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Nanosciencejournal2026en

ABI

Abstract

The investigation has been carried out for the interaction of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, specifically nanospheres and nanorods, into biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) for biomedical applications. Structural characterization using the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful integration of ZnO nanoparticles into the PLA matrix. Mechanical results showed that PLA/ZnO nanosphere composites exhibit superior tensile properties (25.20[Formula: see text]MPa) compared to PLA/ZnO nanorods (22.98[Formula: see text]MPa). Degradation results showed that ZnO incorporation, irrespective of morphology, accelerated the degradation rate of PLA (2.972%, 13.480%, 9.965% for PLA, PLA/ZnO nanosphere and PLA/ZnO nanorods, respectively). Cytotoxicity assessments showed no toxic behavior in either composite, confirming that adding ZnO does not compromise cell viability. These findings suggest that PLA/ZnO composites exhibit significant potential for biomedical applications, offering enhanced mechanical performance, controlled degradation and biocompatibility.

Topics

biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties Bone Tissue Engineering Materials Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1142/s0219581x26500122

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