Fabrication and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)-TiO2 nanocomposite films for orthopedic applications.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is reinforced with TiO2 nanoparticles in order to enhance thermo-mechanical stabilities, surface characteristics and osteoblastic cell adhesion. PVA-TiO2 nanocomposite films with desirable mechanical, thermal and biocompatible properties are fabricated through solution casting method followed by de-hydrothermal cross-linking treatment. The composition of TiO2 nanoparticles was standardized to achieve mechanically stable nanocomposite films, based on tensile strength measurements composition of TiO2 is determined as optimal at 3wt%.