Synthesis of an organic-inorganic hybrid with short organic molecular chains by sol-gel chemistry

An oligomer with short organic molecular chains was successfully synthesized with KH550 and KH560. This oligomer was combined with tetraethyl orthosilicate and calcium chloride to prepare an organic-inorganic hybrid biological material (OI-BM) by sol-gel chemistry. The hybrid was fully characterized by a series of instrumental characterizations including nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray energy spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. OI-BM presented elastic deformation under compression. The elastic modulus and ultimate stress of OI-BM were 0.4 ± 0.1 GPa and 23.0 ± 4.0 MPa, respectively, lower than those of 45S5 bioactive glass (45S5-BG), whereas the strain at failure and modulus of toughness of OI-BM was about 4.5 times and 4 times higher. The hybrid is easy to form due to the improved mechanical property, suggesting excellent machining properties. The hybrid OI-BM produced hydroxyapatite in 1 h in simulated body fluid due to its excellent bioactivity. CCK-8 assay further demonstrated the desirable cytocompatibility of the hybrid. Thus, the hybrid can be a potential material for satisfying the mechanical property requirement of an implant.