Electrical Properties of Newly Calcified Tissues on the Surface of Silver Ion Administrated Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds

The application of electric field to graft materials has significant contribution in bone healing mechanism. Hence, the aim of this study is to develop conductive hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds by introducing different concentrations of silver ion into its structure and demonstrate its impact on in vitro bioactivity and electrical properties. Hydroxyapatite was synthesized by wet chemical method and calcium ions from HAp structure have been partially replaced by silver ions. The HAp and Ag-HAp nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, XRD and EDAX for functional group and phase formation analysis as well as to confirm existence of silver ions in HAp structure respectively. Bioactivity of these scaffolds was assessed by using simulated body fluid. The surface morphology, structural analysis and electrical properties of scaffolds before and after formation of newly calcified tissues on its surface were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, FTIR, dielectric and impedance spectroscopy techniques. Overall, our finding suggests that the administration of silver ions in HAp scaffold boosts bioactivity and has strong correlation with electrical properties.