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Hydroxyapatite-Resin Composites Produced by Vat Photopolymerization and Post-Processing via In Situ Hydrolysis of Alpha Tricalcium Phosphate

Oliver Urrutia, Carolina; Drotárová, Lenka; Gascón-Pérez, Sebastián; Slámečka, Karel; Ravaszová, Simona; Čelko, Ladislav; Montufar Jimenez, Edgar Benjamin

Abstract

Vat photopolymerization is an additive manufacturing technique that utilizes photosensitive resins to fabricate 3D polymeric objects with high precision. However, these objects often lack mechanical strength. This study investigated the strengthening of a resin based on epoxidized soybean oil acrylate, specifically designed for vat photopolymerization, by the in situ formation of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. First, a stable alpha tricalcium phosphate (-TCP)-resin feedstock mixture was developed (~30 vol.% -TCP), which proved suitable for fabricating monoliths as well as complex triply periodic minimal surface (gyroid, diamond, and Schwarz) porous structures through vat photopolymerization. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of -TCP particles led to a significant mechanical improvement of the resin. Second, post-printing hydrothermal treatments were utilized to transform the -TCP particles into hydroxyapatite crystals within the resin. It was observed that the space between hydroxyapatite crystals within the composites was occupied by the cured resin, resulting in a more compact, stronger, and mechanically more reliable material than the porous hydroxyapatite produced by the hydrolysis of -TCP mixed with water. Moreover, water absorption during the hydrothermal treatments caused the plasticization of the cured resin. As a consequence, the hydroxyapatite-resin composites displayed slightly lower mechanical properties compared to the as-printed -TCP-resin composite.

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Ci a ion: Oli e -U u ia, C.; D o á o á, L.; Gascón-Pé ez, S.; Slámeˇcka, K.; Ra aszo á, S.; ˇ Celko, L.; Mon u a , E.B. Hyd oxyapa i e- Resin Composi es P oduced by Va Pho opolyme iza ion and Pos -P ocessing ia In Si u Hyd olysis o Alpha T icalcium Phospha e. Ce amics 2023,6, 2282–2294. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/ ce amics6040139 Academic Edi o : Ta iana Sa ono a Recei ed: 26 Sep embe 2023 Re ised: 17 No embe 2023 Accep ed: 20 No embe 2023 Published: 24 No embe 2023 Copy igh : © 2023 by he au ho s. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Swi ze land. This a icle is an open access a icle dis ibu ed unde he e ms and condi ions o he C ea i e Commons A ibu ion (CC BY) license (h ps:// c ea i ecommons.o g/licenses/by/ 4.0/). ce amics A icle Hyd oxyapa i e-Resin Composi es P oduced by Va Pho opolyme iza ion and Pos -P ocessing ia In Si u Hyd olysis o Alpha T icalcium Phospha e Ca olina Oli e -U u ia 1, Lenka D o á o á1, Sebas ián Gascón-Pé ez 1,† , Ka el Slámeˇcka 1,2, Simona Ra aszo á3, Ladisla ˇ Celko 1and Edga B. Mon u a 1,* 1Cen al Eu opean Ins i u e o Technology, B no Uni e si y o Technology, Pu kyˇno a 123, 61200 B no, Czech Republic; u u ia@ u b .cz (C.O.-U.); lenka.d o a [email p o ec ed] (L.D.); [email p o ec ed] (S.G.-P.); [email p o ec ed].cz (K.S.); ladisla [email p o ec ed].cz (L. ˇ C.) 2Facul y o Mechanical Enginee ing, B no Uni e si y o Technology, Technická2, 61669 B no, Czech Republic 3Facul y o Ci il Enginee ing, B no Uni e si y o Technology, Ve eˇ í95, 60200 B no, Czech Republic; [email p o ec ed].cz *Co espondence: [email p o ec ed].cz †Cu en add ess: Cen o Uni e si a io de Ciencias Exac as e Ingenie ías (CUCEI), Uni e sidad de Guadalaja a, Boule a d Ma celino Ga cía Ba agán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalaja a 44430, Mexico. Abs ac : Va pho opolyme iza ion is an addi i e manu ac u ing echnique ha u ilizes pho osen- si i e esins o ab ica e 3D polyme ic objec s wi h high p ecision. Howe e , hese objec s o en lack mechanical s eng h. This s udy in es iga ed he s eng hening o a esin based on epoxidized soybean oil ac yla e, speci ically designed o a pho opolyme iza ion, by he in si u o ma ion o hyd oxyapa i e nanoc ys als. Fi s , a s able alpha icalcium phospha e ( α -TCP)- esin eeds ock mix u e was de eloped (~30 ol.% α -TCP), which p o ed sui able o ab ica ing monoli hs as well as complex iply pe iodic minimal su ace (gy oid, diamond, and Schwa z) po ous s uc u es h ough a pho opolyme iza ion. The esul s demons a ed ha he inco po a ion o α -TCP pa icles led o a signi ican mechanical imp o emen o he esin. Second, pos -p in ing hyd o he mal ea men s we e u ilized o ans o m he α -TCP pa icles in o hyd oxyapa i e c ys als wi hin he esin. I was obse ed ha he space be ween hyd oxyapa i e c ys als wi hin he composi es was occupied by he cu ed esin, esul ing in a mo e compac , s onge , and mechanically mo e eliable ma e ial han he po ous hyd oxyapa i e p oduced by he hyd olysis o α -TCP mixed wi h wa e . Mo eo e , wa e abso p ion du ing he hyd o he mal ea men s caused he plas iciza ion o he cu ed esin. As a consequence, he hyd oxyapa i e- esin composi es displayed sligh ly lowe mechanical p ope ies compa ed o he as-p in ed α-TCP- esin composi e. Keywo ds: a polyme iza ion; alpha icalcium phospha e; hyd oxyapa i e; po ous composi e; mechanical s eng h 1. In oduc ion Va pho opolyme iza ion (VPP) is a g oup o addi i e manu ac u ing (AM) echnolo- gies ha uses ligh o selec i ely cu e a laye o a pho osensi i e liquid esin, p oducing laye -by-laye h ee-dimensional (3D) objec s. The high p ecision o ad anced ligh sou ces gua an ees high la e al esolu ion du ing he cu ing p ocess, esul ing in high-quali y p in ou s and allowing non-i adia ed a eas o emain liquid [ 1 ]. VPP-AM echnologies a e classi ied acco ding o he con igu a ion o he ligh sou ce in o s e eoli hog aphy (SLA), digi al ligh p ocessing (DLP), liquid c ys al display (LCD), con inuous liquid in e ace p oduc ion, wo-pho on polyme iza ion, and compu ed axial li hog aphy. Among hem, SLA was he i s and mos ly used AM echnology ha u ilizes an ul a iole (UV) lase o cu e he esin, ollowing a scanning pa h o each laye o he objec . On he con a y, DLP Ce amics 2023,6, 2282–2294. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/ce amics6040139 h ps://www.mdpi.com/jou nal/ce amics Ce amics 2023,62283 and LCD cu e a comple e laye o he objec in a single s ep by p ojec ing he en i e image o he laye in he esin, hus educing p in ing ime. DLP uses a digi al ligh p ojec o o gene a e he image o he laye , whe eas LCD p oduces he image by selec i ely blocking a backligh , allowing he ligh o pass only h ough he a eas ha o m he laye . LCD p in e s a e mo e cos -e ec i e and consume less powe han DLP p in e s, making hem he mos common comme cially a ailable op ion. In addi ion, VPP echnologies a e ca ego ized as op-down o bo om-up se ups. The bo om-up app oach is mo e common, wi h he ligh sou ce posi ioned below a anspa en window a he bo om o he a , while he building pla o m mo es upwa ds o c ea e each new laye . The na ow gap be ween he bo om o he a and he building pla o m enables be e Z esolu ion han he op-down se up, bu equi es low iscosi y esins o quickly ill he gap [ 2 ]. Mo eo e , each cu ed laye adhe es o he bo om o he a , equi ing he ca e ul li ing o he pla o m o de ach i be o e build- ing he nex laye . The coa ing o he a wi h a hyd ophobic laye educes he adhesi e o ce p e en ing delamina ion o de achmen o he objec om he building pla o m. The composi ion o he pho osensi i e esin is a balanced mix u e o oligome s, monome s, pho o ini ia o , and o he addi i es [ 3 ], ensu ing a as -cu ing p ocess a a speci ic wa eleng h ( ypically be ween 355 and 410 nm) wi h minimal pho opolyme iza- ion sh inkage. Comme cially a ailable esins a e gene ally sa e, o e s able p in ing pe o mance, and a e a ailable in a ious colo s, making hem ideal o p oducing models and p o o ypes. Howe e , s anda d esins used in VPP p in ing esul in p in ou s wi h poo mechanical p ope ies ha a e unsui able o s uc u al applica ions. Consequen ly, e o s ha e been made o imp o e mechanical beha io by ein o cing he cu ed esins wi h addi ional phases, leading o he de elopmen o polyme ic ma ix composi es [ 2 , 4 – 6 ]. Nano ille s play a c ucial ole in ein o cing he ma ix due o hei high speci ic su ace a ea, which c ea es a s ong in e phase wi h he ma ix [ 6 ]. This in e phase inc eases he mechanical s eng h h ough in e acial s ess ans e , c ack b idging, and c ack de lec ion. The homogeneous dispe sion o he nano ille is a mic os uc u al equi emen o hese mechanisms o ac e icien ly. Agglome a ions o he nano ille s gene a e s ess concen a- ion egions ha dec ease he ac u e esis ance. Howe e , main aining dispe sion du ing mixing and pho opolyme iza ion is challenging due o he endency o he nano ille s o educe hei high su ace ene gy and inc ease he en opy o he sys em by sel -agg ega ion. Addi ionally, ille s can abso b and sca e ligh [ 3 ] and signi ican ly inc ease he iscosi y o he esin [ 2 ], comp omising he VPP p ocess. Consequen ly, he e is a limi o he amoun o ein o cemen ha can be inco po a ed in o he esin. The e o e, an in iguing app oach is he in si u o ma ion o nano ille s wi hin he esin. Fo example, a sol–gel p ocess in acidic apo s and he he mal educ ion o me allic sal s we e used o induce he condensa ion o silica [ 7 ], and sil e [ 8 ] nanopa icles, espec i ely, inside VPP s uc u es. These app oaches ha e demons a ed he po en ial o double he mechanical s eng h; howe e , he achie ed alues emained below a couple o megapascals [7]. This wo k explo es a di e en app oach o ein o ce a comme cial VPP esin h ough inco po a ing hyd oxyapa i e nanoc ys als p oduced in si u by he hyd olysis o alpha icalcium phospha e ( α -TCP). α -TCP is equen ly used in calcium phospha e cemen s (CPCs) due o i s dissolu ion–p ecipi a ion eac ion when exposed o wa e , esul ing in he o ma ion o a mechanically en angled ne wo k o calcium-de icien hyd oxyapa i e (CDHA) nanoc ys als (Equa ion (1)) [ 9 , 10 ]. This eac ion e ec i ely ans o ms he α - TCP pas e in o a solid CDHA monoli h, wi h he mechanical s eng h inc easing as he con e sion p oceeds and he c ys al ne wo k de elops [10]. 3α-Ca3(PO4)2+ H2O→Ca9(HPO4)(PO4)5(OH) (1) In p e ious wo ks, non- eac i e calcium phospha e powde s ha e been inco po a ed in o pho osensi i e esins o p oduce dense ce amic s uc u es aided by VPP [ 11 – 17 ]. The goal o hese s udies was o achie e a maximum solid loading in he slu ies wi hou causing a de imen al inc ease in iscosi y ha could impai he laye -by-laye pho opolyme iza ion p ocess. The esin is emo ed a e ab ica ion by hea ing he composi e in ai , and hen he Ce amics 2023,62284 esul ing g een body is sin e ed a a high empe a u e o p oduce dense o po ous ce amic monoli hs. In con as , he p esen me hod enables he ab ica ion o ein o ced composi es a low empe a u e, wi hou he need o addi ional hea . The no el y o his wo k was o explo e i α -TCP powde inco po a ed in he esin eac s as a adi ional CPC and o de e mine i he pos -p in ing hyd olysis inc eases he mechanical s eng h o he cu ed composi e. Ini ially, an α -TCP-based esin sui able o LCD VPP was de eloped, ollowed by an examina ion o he chemical, mic os uc u al, and mechanical changes du ing hyd oxyapa i e o ma ion. Subsequen ly, h ee dis inc iply pe iodic minimal su ace (TPMS) po ous composi e s uc u es (i.e., gy oid, diamond, and Schwa z) we e p oduced o compa e hei comp ession beha io . 2. Ma e ials and Me hods 2.1. Feeds ock Ma e ials The pho opolyme izable ce amic- esin slu y used in all he expe imen s was based on α -TCP powde and a comme cial low- iscosi y esin ha polyme izes a 405 nm (whi e plan -based UV esin, Anycubic Co., Shenzhen, China). The exac o mula ion o he esin is no a ailable bu i is based on epoxidized soybean oil ac yla e monome , which polyme izes h ough he ee ac yla e adicals. The α -TCP was syn hesized by a solid-s a e eac ion be ween CaCO 3 and CaHPO 4 in a mola a io o 1:2. The syn hesis was pe o med a 1400 ◦ C o 2 h wi h a hea ing a e o 2.5 ◦ C/min, ollowed by ai quenching. The esul ing α -TCP block (150 g) was hen d y milled in a plane a y mill (F i sch Pul e ise e 6, Ida -Obe s ein, Ge many) o 15 min a 450 pm. An aga e ja (500 mL) and 25 aga e balls (diame e o 20 mm) we e used du ing he milling p ocess. The powde ac ion below 32 µ m was ob ained by sie ing, and i was mixed wi h he esin a a liquid o powde (L/P) a io o 0.70 mL/g (32 ol.%). This mix u e was used as eeds ock in all he expe imen s. 2.2. Va Pho opolyme iza ion The ce amic s uc u es we e p oduced using a bo om-up LCD p in ing machine (Pho on Mono X, Anycubic Co., Shenzhen, China) wi h a pixel esolu ion o 50 µ m a a wa eleng h o 405 nm. The 3D models o he s uc u es we e c ea ed in a compu e design so wa e and we e sa ed as s e eoli hog aphy (STL) iles. These STL iles we e hen expo ed in o he p in e so wa e. The ab ica ion pa ame e s we e se as ollows: a laye hickness o 75 µ m, a no mal exposu e ime o 10 s, an o ime o 0.5 s, a bo om exposu e ime o 100 s, and a numbe o bo om laye s o 6. A e he p in ing p ocess, any excess o un eac ed eeds ock esin in he p in ou s was emo ed wi h e hanol, and an addi ional cu ing s ep a 405 nm was conduc ed o 2 min. The composi e s uc u es, a e polyme iza ion and p io o any ea men , we e labelled as α-TCP/R. 2.3. Hyd o he mal T ea men s The in es iga ion o chemical, mic os uc u al, and mechanical changes du ing CDHA o ma ion was pe o med using cylind ical α -TCP/R monoli hs wi h a diame e o 6 mm and a heigh o 12 mm. These cu ed monoli hs we e imme sed in wa e a di e en empe a u es and o di e en du a ions o ob ain CDHA- esin composi es. The imme sion condi ions included 37 ◦ C o 10 days (CDHA/R-37), 90 ◦ C o 1 day (CDHA/R-90), and 190 ◦ C o 30 min in an au ocla e (CDHA/R-190). Monoli hs consis ing solely o esin (Resin), and monoli hs composed o α -TCP powde mixed wi h 2.5% Na 2 HPO 4 solu ion (L/P = 0.70 mL/g) ha dened in wa e a 37 ◦ C o 10 days (CDHA-c l), we e used as e e ences. The addi ion o Na 2 HPO 4 solu ion aimed o enhance he cohesion o he α -TCP powde be o e imme sion in wa e . 2.4. Fab ica ion o Po ous S uc u es Th ee di e en ypes o TPMS po ous s uc u es we e ab ica ed wi h a po osi y o 50%. These s uc u es we e based on iso opic gy oid, diamond, and Schwa z uni cells, espec i ely. The po ous s uc u es we e cylinde s (20 mm diame e , 10 mm heigh ) Ce amics 2023,62285 designed in silico wi h 6-uni cells along he diame e . A e ab ica ion, he po ous s uc u es we e hyd o he mally ea ed a 90 ◦C o 1 day. 2.5. Physicochemical and S uc u al Cha ac e iza ion C ys alline phases we e iden i ied by X- ay di ac ion (XRD, Sma Lab 3 kW CF2, Rigaku, Japan). Measu emen s we e ca ied ou in B agg–B en ano pa a ocusing geome y a 40 kV and 30 mA, p oducing CuK α adia ion wi h λ = 0.154 nm. The scanning 2 θ ange was se be ween 10 and 90 ◦ , wi h a s ep o 0.02 ◦ and a scanning speed o 4 ◦ /min. Phase iden i ica ion was pe o med wi h PDXL so wa e (Rigaku, Japan), using s uc u al models o α -TCP (Ino ganic Cen e o Di ac ion Da a (ICDD) No. 01-070-0364), be a icalcium phospha e ( β -TCP, ICDD No. 01-070-2065), and hyd oxyapa i e (ICDD No. 01-073-1731). C ys alli e size was e alua ed om he XRD da a (hyd oxyapa i e peak (002) a a ound 25.8 ◦ ) using he Debye–Sche e app oxima ion wi h a b oadening cons an o 0.9 [ 18 ]. Chemical changes we e in es iga ed by a enua ed o al e lec ance Fou ie ans o m in a ed spec oscopy (ATR-FTIR, Vacuum FTIR Ve ex 70 , B uke , B emen, Ge many). Scans we e pe o med in he MIR spec al ange be ween 400 and 4000 cm −1 , a e aging 40 scans wi h a spec al esolu ion o abou 2 cm −1 . ATR-FTIR spec a we e analyzed in he OPUS so wa e (B uke , B emen, Ge many). Powde samples o XRD and FTIR analysis we e p epa ed by g inding wo cylinde s pe se ies wi h sandpape . The mic os uc u e was examined using scanning elec on mic oscopy (SEM, Ly a3, TESCAN, B no, Czech Republic) ope a ed a an accele a ion ol age o 5 kV. Be o e imaging, he su aces we e coa ed wi h a nanome ic ca bon laye . The mechanical s eng h and Young’s modulus in comp ession we e de e mined using a uni e sal es ing machine (Ins on 8874, No wood, MA, USA). The es s (n= 5) we e conduc ed a a cons an c osshead speed o 1 mm/min. The s ess–s ain cu es we e ob ained om he eco ded o ce- displacemen da a, wi h load chain compliance compensa ion. The mac o po osi y o he po ous s uc u es (n= 5) was es ima ed by g a ime ic analysis acco ding o he Equa ion (2). P=1−D1 D2100, (2) whe e D 1 is he appa en densi y o he po ous s uc u es, calcula ed by di iding he mass by he bulk olume, and D 2 is he expe imen al densi y o he CDHA/R-90 dense composi e (1.7 g/mL). The heigh and diame e o he samples we e measu ed wi h a callipe o de e mine he olume. 3. Resul s 3.1. Polyme iza ion P ocess and as P in ed S uc u es The ab ica ion o CDHA- esin composi es by LCD VPP was success ully accom- plished (Figu e 1). The composi e esin based on α -TCP had low iscosi y, allowing smoo h low o he esin be ween laye s wi hou equi ing addi ional mechanical aid. Fu he mo e, he composi e esin did no ha den spon aneously due o he hyd olysis o α -TCP, making i possible o s o e he esin p o ec ed om ligh o a leas one yea wi hou any no iceable changes in iscosi y o he modi ica ion o he XRD pa e n. The α -TCP/R p in ou s appea ed whi e in colo as bo h he esin and α -TCP we e o iginally whi e. The composi es exhibi ed a ce amic-ma e su ace, whe eas he pu e esin was b igh e (Figu e 2a). The α -TCP emained un eac ed du ing he pho opolyme iza ion p ocess, as he XRD pa e n o he α -TCP/R monoli hs mainly showed peaks indexed as α - TCP, one addi ional di ac ion peak associa ed wi h he cu ed esin, and a ela i ely small p esence o he β -TCP phase (Figu e 3). Consis en ly, he mic os uc u e o he α -TCP/R composi e consis ed o un eac ed α -TCP pa icles embedded in he esin ma ix (Figu e 2a). The Resin i sel showed a smoo h mic os uc u e (Figu e 2a) and XRD c ys allini y wi h a main di ac ion peak a 35.5◦(Figu e 3). Ce amics 2023,62286 Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 5   The ab ica iono CDHA- esincomposi esbyLCDVPPwassuccess ullyaccom- plished(Figu e1).Thecomposi e esinbasedonα-TCPhadlow iscosi y,allowing smoo h lowo  he esinbe weenlaye swi hou  equi ingaddi ionalmechanicalaid.Fu - he mo e, hecomposi e esindidno ha denspon aneouslydue o hehyd olysiso α- TCP,makingi possible os o e he esinp o ec ed omligh  o a leas oneyea wi hou  anyno iceablechangesin iscosi yo  hemodi ica iono  heXRDpa e n.  Figu e1.STLmodelsandVPPCDHA/R-90po ouss uc u es. Theα-TCP/Rp in ou sappea edwhi eincolo asbo h he esinandα-TCPwe e o iginallywhi e.Thecomposi esexhibi edace amic-ma esu ace,whe eas hepu e esinwasb igh e (Figu e2a).Theα-TCP emainedun eac eddu ing hepho opolyme - iza ionp ocess,as heXRDpa e no  heα-TCP/Rmonoli hsmainlyshowedpeaksin- dexedasα-TCP,oneaddi ionaldiff ac ionpeakassocia edwi h hecu ed esin,anda ela i elysmallp esenceo  heβ-TCPphase(Figu e3).Consis en ly, hemic os uc u e o  heα-TCP/Rcomposi econsis edo un eac edα-TCPpa iclesembeddedin he esin ma ix(Figu e2a).TheResini sel showedasmoo hmic os uc u e(Figu e2a)andXRD c ys allini ywi hamaindiff ac ionpeaka 35.5°(Figu e3).  Figu e2.Mic os uc u eo VPPcomposi es.(a)α-TCP/Rmonoli h(le )andcu ed esinwi hou  ce amicpowde ( igh ).(b)Hyd o he mally ea edCDHA- esincomposi es. Figu e 1. STL models and VPP CDHA/R-90 po ous s uc u es. Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 5   The ab ica iono CDHA- esincomposi esbyLCDVPPwassuccess ullyaccom- plished(Figu e1).Thecomposi e esinbasedonα-TCPhadlow iscosi y,allowing smoo h lowo  he esinbe weenlaye swi hou  equi ingaddi ionalmechanicalaid.Fu - he mo e, hecomposi e esindidno ha denspon aneouslydue o hehyd olysiso α- TCP,makingi possible os o e he esinp o ec ed omligh  o a leas oneyea wi hou  anyno iceablechangesin iscosi yo  hemodi ica iono  heXRDpa e n.  Figu e1.STLmodelsandVPPCDHA/R-90po ouss uc u es. Theα-TCP/Rp in ou sappea edwhi eincolo asbo h he esinandα-TCPwe e o iginallywhi e.Thecomposi esexhibi edace amic-ma esu ace,whe eas hepu e esinwasb igh e (Figu e2a).Theα-TCP emainedun eac eddu ing hepho opolyme - iza ionp ocess,as heXRDpa e no  heα-TCP/Rmonoli hsmainlyshowedpeaksin- dexedasα-TCP,oneaddi ionaldiff ac ionpeakassocia edwi h hecu ed esin,anda ela i elysmallp esenceo  heβ-TCPphase(Figu e3).Consis en ly, hemic os uc u e o  heα-TCP/Rcomposi econsis edo un eac edα-TCPpa iclesembeddedin he esin ma ix(Figu e2a).TheResini sel showedasmoo hmic os uc u e(Figu e2a)andXRD c ys allini ywi hamaindiff ac ionpeaka 35.5°(Figu e3).  Figu e2.Mic os uc u eo VPPcomposi es.(a)α-TCP/Rmonoli h(le )andcu ed esinwi hou  ce amicpowde ( igh ).(b)Hyd o he mally ea edCDHA- esincomposi es. Figu e 2. Mic os uc u e o VPP composi es. ( a ) α -TCP/R monoli h (le ) and cu ed esin wi hou ce amic powde ( igh ). (b) Hyd o he mally ea ed CDHA- esin composi es. Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 6    Figu e3.XRDpa e nso composi es ab ica edbyVPP.Composi ecomponen s(ResinandCDHA- c l)a eincluded o compa ison.Righ handplo isade ailed iewo  hepa e nsin he ange20– 41°. 3.2.Hyd o he malT ea men  Thede elopmen o anen angledne wo ko nanoc ys alsin hecomposi esdemon- s a ed he ans o ma iono α-TCPin oCDHAdu inghyd o he mal ea men s(Figu e 2b).Ingene al, hese ea men s esul edinana e agediame alexpansiono 3.1±0.8%. TheCDHA o ma ionoccu edmo e apidlya ahighe hyd olysis empe a u ease i- dencedby hedec easein hein ensi yo  hecha ac e is icα-TCPdiff ac ionpeaksand heinc easingin ensi yo hyd oxyapa i e- ela edpeakswi hinc easing empe a u e(Fig- u e3).Inpa icula ,a 190°C, heα-TCPdiff ac ionpeaksalmos disappea ed,al hough hehyd o he mal ea men las edonly30min.Thein ensi yo  hediff ac ionpeaks e- la ed oβ-TCP emainedunchangeda 37°Cbu p og essi elyinc easeda ahighe  eac- ion empe a u e,consis en wi hp e iouswo ks ha  epo ed hepolymo phic ans o - ma iono α-TCPin oβ-TCPunde hyd o he malcondi ions[19,20].The empe a u eo  hehyd o he mal ea men alsoin luenced hemic os uc u eo  heCDHA- esincom- posi es.Pla e-likeCDHAnanoc ys alswe ep oducedin heCDHA/R-90composi eand heCDHA-c l,whe easneedle-likeCDHAnanoc ys alswe e o medin heCDHA/R-37 andCDHA/R-190composi es(Figu e2b).Thec ys alsizewasde e mined obe23.5nm o CDHA/R-37,29.6nm o CDHA/R-90,and32.3nm o CDHA/R-190,indica ing as e  g ow ho CDHAc ys alsa ahighe hyd olysis empe a u e. IRabso p ionspec ashow hep esenceo cha ac e is icbandso phospha e(PO43−) g oupsinbo h heα-TCP/Randhyd o he mally ea edCDHA- esincomposi es(Figu e 4).In enseb oadbandsbe ween900and1200cm−1andbe ween500and650cm−1 ep e- sen  hesymme ics e ching ib a ionand hebending ib a iono  hePO43−g oups, espec i ely.Sha peningo  hebanda ound1030cm−1and hespli ingo  hebandbe- ween550and650cm−1in o wopeakscon i m he ans o ma iono α-TCPin ohyd ox- yapa i e.Fu he mo e, hep esenceo OH-g oupsin hehyd oxyapa i ec ys allines uc- u ewascon i medby heweakabso p ionbandsbe ween3700and3900cm−1and he sub lyappea ingOH-banda 630cm−1asashoulde o  hePO43−band.A la weakab- so p ionbanda app oxima ely850cm−1isassocia edwi hP-OHs e cho  heHPO42− g oup,whichis ypical o calcium-de icien apa i es, husshowing he o ma iono  CDHA a he  hans ochiome ichyd oxyapa i e,whichis ypical o  hehyd oxyapa i e s uc u e o medbyα-TCPhyd olysis[10]. TheFTIRspec umo  hecu ed esindemons a esa ypicalhigh-in ensi ybando  heca bonylg oupa 1730cm−1.Thebandso igina ing omC=Cs e chappea a 1630 and1440cm−1,and hebando C–O–Cs e ching ib a iono es e issi ua edbe ween Figu e 3. XRD pa e ns o composi es ab ica ed by VPP. Composi e componen s (Resin and CDHA-c l) a e included o compa ison. Righ hand plo is a de ailed iew o he pa e ns in he ange 20–41◦. 3.2. Hyd o he mal T ea men The de elopmen o an en angled ne wo k o nanoc ys als in he composi es demons a ed he ans o ma ion o α -TCP in o CDHA du ing hyd o he mal ea men s ( Figu e 2b) . In gene al, hese ea men s esul ed in an a e age diame al expansion o 3.1 ±0.8% . The CDHA o ma ion occu ed mo e apidly a a highe hyd olysis empe a u e as e idenced by he dec ease in he in ensi y o he cha ac e is ic α -TCP di ac ion peaks and he inc easing in ensi y o hyd oxyapa i e- ela ed peaks wi h inc easing empe a u e (Figu e 3). In pa icula , a 190 ◦ C, he α -TCP di ac ion peaks almos disappea ed, al hough he hyd o he mal ea men las ed only 30 min. The in ensi y o he di ac ion peaks ela ed Ce amics 2023,62287 o β -TCP emained unchanged a 37 ◦ C bu p og essi ely inc eased a a highe eac ion empe a u e, consis en wi h p e ious wo ks ha epo ed he polymo phic ans o ma ion o α -TCP in o β -TCP unde hyd o he mal condi ions [ 19 , 20 ]. The empe a u e o he hyd o he mal ea men also in luenced he mic os uc u e o he CDHA- esin composi es. Pla e-like CDHA nanoc ys als we e p oduced in he CDHA/R-90 composi e and he CDHA-c l, whe eas needle-like CDHA nanoc ys als we e o med in he CDHA/R-37 and CDHA/R-190 composi es (Figu e 2b). The c ys al size was de e mined o be 23.5 nm o CDHA/R-37, 29.6 nm o CDHA/R-90, and 32.3 nm o CDHA/R-190, indica ing as e g ow h o CDHA c ys als a a highe hyd olysis empe a u e. IR abso p ion spec a show he p esence o cha ac e is ic bands o phospha e (PO 43− ) g oups in bo h he α -TCP/R and hyd o he mally ea ed CDHA- esin composi es (Figu e 4). In ense b oad bands be ween 900 and 1200 cm −1 and be ween 500 and 650 cm −1 ep esen he symme ic s e ching ib a ion and he bending ib a ion o he PO 43− g oups, espec- i ely. Sha pening o he band a ound 1030 cm −1 and he spli ing o he band be ween 550 and 650 cm −1 in o wo peaks con i m he ans o ma ion o α -TCP in o hyd oxyapa i e. Fu he mo e, he p esence o OH- g oups in he hyd oxyapa i e c ys alline s uc u e was con i med by he weak abso p ion bands be ween 3700 and 3900 cm −1 and he sub ly appea ing OH- band a 630 cm −1 as a shoulde o he PO 43− band. A la weak abso p ion band a app oxima ely 850 cm −1 is associa ed wi h P-OH s e ch o he HPO 42− g oup, which is ypical o calcium-de icien apa i es, hus showing he o ma ion o CDHA a he han s ochiome ic hyd oxyapa i e, which is ypical o he hyd oxyapa i e s uc u e o med by α-TCP hyd olysis [10]. Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 7   1100–1200cm −1 .Bandsassocia edwi hepoxyandoxi anea ep esen be ween800and 900cm −1 .Theweakbanda 3400cm −1 co esponds o heOHg oupsc ea ed om he ing openingo epoxidedu ingac yla ion.CHabso p ionbandsa e isiblebe ween2800and 3000cm −1 .The e o e, heResinshows hecha ac e is icchemicalbondso epoxidized ac yla epolyme s,whichisconsis en wi h hepho ocu ablemonome used.Thecha ac- e is icbandso  he esina ealsop esen in heFTIRspec umo  heCDHA- esincom- posi esand heα-TCP/Rcomposi e.Abso p ionbandsin he angeo 2300–2400cm −1 a e associa edwi h hep esenceo a mosphe icca bondioxideabso bedon hesu aceo  he samples.  Figu e4.ATR-FTIRspec ao composi es ab ica edbyVPP.Composi ecomponen s(Resinand CDHA-c l)a eincluded o compa ison. 3.3.MechanicalCha ac e iza ion Thecomp essi es ess–s aincu eso  hes udiedma e ialswe e ep oducibleand exhibi eddis inc mechanicalbeha io o pu ecomponen sandcomposi es(Figu e5a). TheCDHA-c lma e ialwasweakandb i le,while heResindemons a edplas icbe- ha io wi hayields eng h ha wassigni ican lyhighe  han hecomp essi es eng h o  heCDHA-c l.Theplas icde o ma iono  heResin ollowedanon-linea s ainha d- ening end,and he es swe es oppedbe o e heResin ac u ing.Bo hCDHA-c land heResinhadsimila Young’smodulus alues(Figu e5c).Thes ess–s aincu eso  he composi es,including heα-TCP/R,displayed h eedis inc domains:anini iallinea elas- ic egion, ollowedbynea lylinea s ainha deninga e yielding,and inally, as s ain so eninga e  ailu ea  hecomp essi es eng h(Figu e5a). Figu e 4. ATR-FTIR spec a o composi es ab ica ed by VPP. Composi e componen s (Resin and CDHA-c l) a e included o compa ison. Ce amics 2023,62288 The FTIR spec um o he cu ed esin demons a es a ypical high-in ensi y band o he ca bonyl g oup a 1730 cm −1 . The bands o igina ing om C=C s e ch appea a 1630 and 1440 cm −1 , and he band o C–O–C s e ching ib a ion o es e is si ua ed be ween 1100–1200 cm−1 . Bands associa ed wi h epoxy and oxi ane a e p esen be ween 800 and 900 cm −1 . The weak band a 3400 cm −1 co esponds o he OH g oups c ea ed om he ing opening o epoxide du ing ac yla ion. CH abso p ion bands a e isible be ween 2800 and 3000 cm −1 . The e o e, he Resin shows he cha ac e is ic chemical bonds o epoxidized ac yla e polyme s, which is consis en wi h he pho ocu able monome used. The cha ac e is ic bands o he esin a e also p esen in he FTIR spec um o he CDHA- esin composi es and he α -TCP/R composi e. Abso p ion bands in he ange o 2300–2400 cm −1 a e associa ed wi h he p esence o a mosphe ic ca bon dioxide abso bed on he su ace o he samples. 3.3. Mechanical Cha ac e iza ion The comp essi e s ess–s ain cu es o he s udied ma e ials we e ep oducible and exhibi ed dis inc mechanical beha io o pu e componen s and composi es (Figu e 5a). The CDHA-c l ma e ial was weak and b i le, while he Resin demons a ed plas ic beha io wi h a yield s eng h ha was signi ican ly highe han he comp essi e s eng h o he CDHA-c l. The plas ic de o ma ion o he Resin ollowed a non-linea s ain ha dening end, and he es s we e s opped be o e he Resin ac u ing. Bo h CDHA-c l and he Resin had simila Young’s modulus alues (Figu e 5c). The s ess–s ain cu es o he composi es, including he α -TCP/R, displayed h ee dis inc domains: an ini ial linea elas ic egion, ollowed by nea ly linea s ain ha dening a e yielding, and inally, as s ain so ening a e ailu e a he comp essi e s eng h (Figu e 5a). Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 8    Figu e5.Resul so comp ession es so composi emonoli hsandcomposi ecomponen s.(a)Com- p essi es ess–s aincu eswi h hehighes andlowes  alues.(b)Yields eng handcomp essi e s eng h.Thecomp essi es eng ho  heResinco esponds o hes essa 20%s ain.(c)Young’s modulus.Ba plo sshowa e age±SD alues(n=5). Asexpec ed,all hecomposi eswe es onge  hanbo h heResinandCDHA-c l. Howe e ,con a y oexpec a ions, heα-TCP/Rcomposi ewas hes onges one,wi h heyieldandcomp essi es eng h ha we e wiceashighas ha o  heResin(Figu e5b), and heYoung’smodulus ha was en imeshighe (Figu e5c).Hyd o he mally ea ed composi eswe e ound obeweake  han heα-TCP/Rcomposi edue owa e abso p ion in he esinma ix,causingplas iciza ionbyin e molecula hyd oca bonglidingeffec s [21].None heless,wa e abso p ionalsoenabled hehyd olysiso α-TCP o o minsi u ein o cingnanome icCDHAc ys als(Figu e2b).Thec ys alscoun e ac edma ixso - eningandminimized helosso mechanicals eng h.Themo phologyanddeg eeo  o ma iono CDHAp oducedby hediffe en hyd o he mal ea men sin luenced he mechanicalp ope ies.TheCDHA/R-37composi eexhibi ed helowes yieldandcom- p essi es eng h(Figu e5b)due o heincomple e ans o ma iono α-TCPin oCDHA (Figu e3).Incon as ,CDHA/R-90andCDHA/R-190,whichnea ly ullycon e edin o CDHA, e ainedhighe mechanicals eng h.Mo eo e ,CDHA/R-90wassligh lys onge  hanCDHA/R-190because hepla e-likec ys almo phologygene a ess onge c ys al in e locking hanneedle-likemo phologya  hesamepo osi y[22].I iswo hno ing ha  hedeclineinYoung’smodulus ollowedasigni ican lydiffe en  end han hecomp es- si es eng h.Ingene al, hehyd o he mal ea men s esul edina h ee- old educ ion inYoung’smoduluswi h espec  o heas-p in edcondi ion(α-TCP/R).Mo eo e , he e wasa u he  educ ioninYoung’smoduluswi hahighe  empe a u eandsho e  eac- ion ime,indica ing ha  empe a u eplayedamo esigni ican  oleinwa e adso p ion wi hin hecomposi es han ime. 3.4.TPMSPo ousComposi eS uc u es Th eeTPMSpo ousCDHA/R-90s uc u eswe e ab ica ed odemons a e hesui - abili yo  heα-TCP-based esininp oducingcomplex3Dobjec s(Figu e1).Thepo ous s uc u esexhibi edhigh ideli y,wi hwell-de inededgesandcon ou s(Figu e6).The su aceso  hes uc u eswe e oughwi hape iodicpa e ngene a edbylaye -by-laye  ab ica ion(Figu e7b,c),whichis ypical o VPPpa s[23].Thea e ageexpe imen al po osi ywas31.5±6.1% o Schwa z,36.7±5.9% o gy oid,and30.2±3.0% o diamond s uc u es.Asexpec ed, hepo ouss uc u esexhibi edlowe comp essi es eng h han hemonoli hiccomposi e.Inaddi ion, hes ess–s ain esponseo  hepo ouss uc u es Figu e 5. Resul s o comp ession es s o composi e monoli hs and composi e componen s. ( a ) Com- p essi e s ess–s ain cu es wi h he highes and lowes alues. ( b ) Yield s eng h and comp essi e s eng h. The comp essi e s eng h o he Resin co esponds o he s ess a 20% s ain. ( c ) Young’s modulus. Ba plo s show a e age ±SD alues (n= 5). As expec ed, all he composi es we e s onge han bo h he Resin and CDHA-c l. Howe e , con a y o expec a ions, he α -TCP/R composi e was he s onges one, wi h he yield and comp essi e s eng h ha we e wice as high as ha o he Resin (Figu e 5b), and he Young’s modulus ha was en imes highe (Figu e 5c). Hyd o he mally ea ed composi es we e ound o be weake han he α -TCP/R composi e due o wa e abso p- ion in he esin ma ix, causing plas iciza ion by in e molecula hyd oca bon gliding e ec s [ 21 ]. None heless, wa e abso p ion also enabled he hyd olysis o α -TCP o o m in si u ein o cing nanome ic CDHA c ys als (Figu e 2b). The c ys als coun e ac ed ma ix Ce amics 2023,62289 so ening and minimized he loss o mechanical s eng h. The mo phology and deg ee o o ma ion o CDHA p oduced by he di e en hyd o he mal ea men s in luenced he mechanical p ope ies. The CDHA/R-37 composi e exhibi ed he lowes yield and com- p essi e s eng h (Figu e 5b) due o he incomple e ans o ma ion o α -TCP in o CDHA (Figu e 3). In con as , CDHA/R-90 and CDHA/R-190, which nea ly ully con e ed in o CDHA, e ained highe mechanical s eng h. Mo eo e , CDHA/R-90 was sligh ly s onge han CDHA/R-190 because he pla e-like c ys al mo phology gene a es s onge c ys al in e locking han needle-like mo phology a he same po osi y [ 22 ]. I is wo h no ing ha he decline in Young’s modulus ollowed a signi ican ly di e en end han he comp es- si e s eng h. In gene al, he hyd o he mal ea men s esul ed in a h ee- old educ ion in Young’s modulus wi h espec o he as-p in ed condi ion ( α -TCP/R). Mo eo e , he e was a u he educ ion in Young’s modulus wi h a highe empe a u e and sho e eac ion ime, indica ing ha empe a u e played a mo e signi ican ole in wa e adso p ion wi hin he composi es han ime. 3.4. TPMS Po ous Composi e S uc u es Th ee TPMS po ous CDHA/R-90 s uc u es we e ab ica ed o demons a e he sui - abili y o he α -TCP-based esin in p oducing complex 3D objec s (Figu e 1). The po ous s uc u es exhibi ed high ideli y, wi h well-de ined edges and con ou s (Figu e 6). The su aces o he s uc u es we e ough wi h a pe iodic pa e n gene a ed by laye -by-laye ab ica ion (Figu e 7b,c), which is ypical o VPP pa s [ 23 ]. The a e age expe imen al po osi y was 31.5 ± 6.1% o Schwa z, 36.7 ± 5.9% o gy oid, and 30.2 ± 3.0% o diamond s uc u es. As expec ed, he po ous s uc u es exhibi ed lowe comp essi e s eng h han he monoli hic composi e. In addi ion, he s ess–s ain esponse o he po ous s uc u es di e ed, showing in gene al a quasi-b i le beha io wi hou a p onounced s ain-ha dening egion (Figu e 7a). This dis inc ion is explained by local ensile s esses ac ing on he walls o he s uc u es, leading o hei localized ailu e. The p esence o cup and cone ac u es obse ed on he ac u e su aces (Figu e 7b,c) u he suppo s his hypo hesis, as hey a e ypical o polyme s subjec ed o ension [ 24 ]. In he gy oid s uc u es, c acks p opaga ed a an angle o app oxima ely 45 ◦ o he applied loading (Figu e 7b), whe eas in he diamond s uc u es, c acks p opaga ed pa allel o he loading (Figu e 7c). In bo h cases, se e al c acks p opaga ed h ough he laye s a he han be ween hem. A a nea ly cons an po os- i y and di e en po e size, he Schwa z s uc u e was s onge (34.9 MPa) han gy oid (16.3 MPa) and diamond (16.1 MPa) s uc u es, which showed simila s ess–s ain esponses wi h signi ican s aining. Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 9   diffe ed,showingingene alaquasi-b i lebeha io wi hou ap onounceds ain-ha d- ening egion(Figu e7a).Thisdis inc ionisexplainedbylocal ensiles essesac ingon hewallso  hes uc u es,leading o hei localized ailu e.Thep esenceo cupandcone ac u esobse edon he ac u esu aces(Figu e7b,c) u he suppo s hishypo hesis, as heya e ypical o polyme ssubjec ed o ension[24].In hegy oids uc u es,c acks p opaga eda anangleo app oxima ely45° o heappliedloading(Figu e7b),whe eas in hediamonds uc u es,c acksp opaga edpa allel o heloading(Figu e7c).Inbo h cases,se e alc acksp opaga ed h ough helaye s a he  hanbe ween hem.A anea ly cons an po osi yanddiffe en po esize, heSchwa zs uc u ewass onge (34.9MPa) hangy oid(16.3MPa)anddiamond(16.1MPa)s uc u es,whichshowedsimila s ess– s ain esponseswi hsigni ican s aining.  Figu e6.Imageso CDHA/R-90po ouss uc u es.(a)Schwa zla e al iew,(b)Schwa z op iew, (c)gy oidla e al iew,and(d)diamondla e al iew.  Figu e7.Mechanicalbeha io o CDHA/R-90po ouss uc u es.(a)Comp essi es ess–s ain cu es,andimageso  ac u esu acesin(b)gy oidand(c)diamondTPMSpo ouss uc u es.Thin a owspoin  o hecupandcone ac u esanddashellipsesshowexampleso  hepe iodic ough su ace. 4.Discussion Theobjec i eo  hiss udywas oenhance hemechanicals eng ho pho osensi i e esins oexpand hepo en ialapplica ionso VPPpa sbeyondmodellingandp o o yp- ing.Thehyd olysiso α-TCPwasexplo edasas aigh o wa dme hod o o mnanome - ichyd oxyapa i e ein o cemen c ys alsinacomme cialpho ocu ing esin.The esin i sel didno induce hehyd olysiso α-TCPdue o heabsenceo wa e molecules,en- su ing hes abili yandp in abili yo  he eeds ockmix u eo e anex endedpe iod.Fu - he mo e, heα-TCPpa icleshadaminimalimpac onligh abso p ionandsca e inga  Figu e 6. Images o CDHA/R-90 po ous s uc u es. ( a ) Schwa z la e al iew, ( b ) Schwa z op iew, (c) gy oid la e al iew, and (d) diamond la e al iew. Ce amics 2023,62290 Ce amics2023,6,FORPEERREVIEW 9   diffe ed,showingingene alaquasi-b i lebeha io wi hou ap onounceds ain-ha d- ening egion(Figu e7a).Thisdis inc ionisexplainedbylocal ensiles essesac ingon hewallso  hes uc u es,leading o hei localized ailu e.Thep esenceo cupandcone ac u esobse edon he ac u esu aces(Figu e7b,c) u he suppo s hishypo hesis, as heya e ypical o polyme ssubjec ed o ension[24].In hegy oids uc u es,c acks p opaga eda anangleo app oxima ely45° o heappliedloading(Figu e7b),whe eas in hediamonds uc u es,c acksp opaga edpa allel o heloading(Figu e7c).Inbo h cases,se e alc acksp opaga ed h ough helaye s a he  hanbe ween hem.A anea ly cons an po osi yanddiffe en po esize, heSchwa zs uc u ewass onge (34.9MPa) hangy oid(16.3MPa)anddiamond(16.1MPa)s uc u es,whichshowedsimila s ess– s ain esponseswi hsigni ican s aining.  Figu e6.Imageso CDHA/R-90po ouss uc u es.(a)Schwa zla e al iew,(b)Schwa z op iew, (c)gy oidla e al iew,and(d)diamondla e al iew.  Figu e7.Mechanicalbeha io o CDHA/R-90po ouss uc u es.(a)Comp essi es ess–s ain cu es,andimageso  ac u esu acesin(b)gy oidand(c)diamondTPMSpo ouss uc u es.Thin a owspoin  o hecupandcone ac u esanddashellipsesshowexampleso  hepe iodic ough su ace. 4.Discussion Theobjec i eo  hiss udywas oenhance hemechanicals eng ho pho osensi i e esins oexpand hepo en ialapplica ionso VPPpa sbeyondmodellingandp o o yp- ing.Thehyd olysiso α-TCPwasexplo edasas aigh o wa dme hod o o mnanome - ichyd oxyapa i e ein o cemen c ys alsinacomme cialpho ocu ing esin.The esin i sel didno induce hehyd olysiso α-TCPdue o heabsenceo wa e molecules,en- su ing hes abili yandp in abili yo  he eeds ockmix u eo e anex endedpe iod.Fu - he mo e, heα-TCPpa icleshadaminimalimpac onligh abso p ionandsca e inga  Figu e 7. Mechanical beha io o CDHA/R-90 po ous s uc u es. ( a ) Comp essi e s ess–s ain cu es, and images o ac u e su aces in ( b ) gy oid and ( c ) diamond TPMS po ous s uc u es. Thin a ows poin o he cup and cone ac u es and dash ellipses show examples o he pe iodic ough su ace. 4. Discussion The objec i e o his s udy was o enhance he mechanical s eng h o pho osensi i e esins o expand he po en ial applica ions o VPP pa s beyond modelling and p o o yping. The hyd olysis o α -TCP was explo ed as a s aigh o wa d me hod o o m nanome ic hyd oxyapa i e ein o cemen c ys als in a comme cial pho ocu ing esin. The esin i sel did no induce he hyd olysis o α -TCP due o he absence o wa e molecules, ensu ing he s abili y and p in abili y o he eeds ock mix u e o e an ex ended pe iod. Fu he mo e, he α -TCP pa icles had a minimal impac on ligh abso p ion and sca e ing a he p in ing wa eleng h due o a low e ac i e index o 1.63 [ 11 ]. This cha ac e is ic allowed o he inco po a ion o a ela i ely high- olume ac ion o ein o cemen pa icles (32 ol.%) wi hou hinde ing he selec i e pho opolyme iza ion o he esin and, consequen ly, he laye -by-laye ab ica ion o TPMS po ous s uc u es. The ac ion o α -TCP pa icles inco po a ed in he esin (55.4 w .%) exceeded he ac ion o o he ille s ypically added o pho opolyme izable esins (usually below 20 w .% [ 25 – 29 ]), bu i emained ela i ely low (0.7 mL/g) compa ed o he L/P a io used in comme cial o mula ions o CPCs (e.g., 0.22–0.25 mL/g [ 30 ]). The selec ed expe imen al L/P a io allowed quick and smoo h low o he esin be ween laye s wi hou he need o a ecoa ing mechanism, which is no ypically included in s anda d VPP p in e s, and a oided addi ional s eps ha could inc ease he p ocessing ime. Based on he obse a ions and he pe o mance o o he esins con aining calcium phospha e pa icles [ 12 ], i is possible o inc ease he ac ion o α -TCP up o a leas 60 ol.% while main aining a cu ing dep h abo e 0.9 mm. The inco po a ion o mic ome ic α -TCP pa icles alone had a signi ican ein o cing e ec on he cu ed esin (Figu e 5). This esul ed in he Young’s modulus ou imes highe and comp essi e s eng h in he uppe ange o ensile s eng h compa ed o o he pa icle- ein o ced pho ocu able esins [ 25 , 27 , 31 – 33 ]. The ein o cemen e ec can be a ibu ed o he close and con inuous in e acial con ac be ween he pa icles and he polyme ic ma ix, which is p omo ed by s ong molecula in e ac ions, i.e., hyd ogen bonds and o he dipole–dipole a ac ions. P e ious s udies ha e explo ed he mixing o β -TCP pa icles wi h non-pho ocu able poly(me hyl me hac yla e) (PMMA) cemen s o imp o e he a ach- men wi h bone issue [ 34 – 36 ]. Howe e , unlike he indings o his s udy, he pa icles educed he mechanical s eng h in he absence o a compa ibilize due o hyd ophobic– hyd ophilic immiscibili y. In con as , when he app op ia e compa ibilize was u ilized along wi h 50 w .% o pa icles, he comp essi e s eng h imp o ed o app oxima ely 80 MPa ( s. 58 MPa in he composi e wi hou he compa ibilize ) [ 37 ]. This highligh s he impo ance o he chemical in e ac ions a he molecula scale in in luencing he mechanical beha io . Howe e , no no iceable band shi s o in e ac ions we e obse ed in he FTIR analyses o he composi es in his s udy and u he esea ch u ilizing esins wi h lowe chemical complexi y is equi ed o gain a deepe unde s anding o hese in e ac ions.