Micro/nanostructure constructed by in situ growth of SiC nanowires in porous Si3N4 ceramics

Abstract

Implant materials with micro/nanostructures bear a closer resemblance with the features of natural bone, which influences the wettability, bone differentiation, and vascularization of materials. However, it is still technically challenging to design the inner wall and surface micro/nanostructures on macroporous bioceramics due to their brittleness. In this work, micro/nanostructured composites with Si₃N₄ whiskers as a framework, and the (inner) surface covered with SiC nanowires were prepared, denoted as SiC-nw@Si₃N₄-w bioceramics. The synthesis, adopting the green chemistry concept, was utilized from environmental products (carbon evaporated in the furnace at high temperature) and reaction impurities (carbon obtained by polymer pyrolysis and silicon obtained by Si₃N₄ decomposition) to synthesize SiC nanowires via a vapor-solid growth mechanism. The prepared SiC-nw@Si₃N₄-w bioceramics have potential applications in bone repair due to their cell adhesion and proliferation.