Effect of various shaped magnesium hydroxide particles on mechanical and biological properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) composites

Five different shapes of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) particles (Plate-S, Plate-N, Disk, Whisker, and Fiber) were synthesized and added to biopolymer (i.e., Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)) composite to improve their mechanical and biological properties. The PLGA composite films including Mg(OH)2 particles were prepared by a solvent casting method. Their mechanical and biological properties were compared according to the composites containing different shapes of Mg(OH)2 particles. Among them, the fiber shape of Mg(OH)2 provided the highest mechanical strength, and anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial activity to PLGA films among other forms. This study demonstrated a new strategy for the design of biomaterials by controlling the form of inorganic additives.