Enhancement of mechanical and antimicrobial properties of silica, zeolite, and silver‐modified hydroxyapatite composites for biomedical applications

Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HAp), due to its chemical similarity to natural bone minerals, is widely utilized in various biomedical fields. The development of HAp‐based composites is essential for improving the performance of materials used in bone tissue engineering, dentistry, and orthopedic applications. However, one of the primary limitations of HAp is its poor mechanical properties, which restrict its use in high‐stress environments such as load‐bearing orthopedic implants. To address this limitation, this study investigates the effect of adding silica (SiO₂), zeolite, and silver particles (further reffered to as AgNps) to enhance the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of HAp composites. The primary focus is on preparing HAp/silica composites by incorporating silica in amounts of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 wt%. The addition of 2.5 wt% silica to HAp significantly increases compressive strength and density by stabilizing the crystalline structure. Zeolite, a natural porous material, is introduced to improve microstructural homogeneity and contribute to the stability of the composite. Its structure enhances the material's mechanical stability, making it an effective addition to HAp‐based composites. Silver particles (AgNps) are added to impart strong antimicrobial properties to the composite. Antimicrobial tests reveal that the inclusion of silver effectively inhibits bacterial growth, making the composite more resistant to infections, particularly in medical applications where contamination and infection risks are significant. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the combination of silica, zeolite, and silver significantly enhances the mechanical and antimicrobial performance of HAp composites, making them suitable for orthopedic and dental applications requiring improved strength and infection resistance.