Bone cements represent a category of injectable and functional medical materials extensively utilized in orthopedic surgery and traumatology. These materials are formulated by combining a powder and a liquid to create a moldable paste, which subsequently hardens at the site of the treated defect. Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) demonstrate superior initial mechanical properties, reduced setting times, and a more favorable bioresorption rate compared to currently used calcium phosphate cements, making them notably advantageous.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of varying technological parameters for the creation of MPC cement on its fundamental characteristics, such as setting time and temperature, microstructure, microhardness, surface wettability, injectability, and cytocompatibility. The investigation employed a cement powder consisting of calcined magnesium oxide and potassium hydrogen phosphate in various molar ratios of Mg-P (3:1, 4:1, and 5:1) and variable P-L ratios using demineralized water (2:1, 2.5:1, and 3:1), along with two different sizes of MgO particles.

The results of this study led to the formulation of an advantageous methodology for synthesizing magnesium potassium phosphate cements tailored for biomedical uses. It was observed that each of the assessed parameters substantially impacted the main properties of the material, including microstructure, hydraulic reaction, k-struvite crystallization, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility. Our research verified that through the adjustment of optimal magnesium-to-phosphate and powder-to-liquid ratios, it is feasible to engineer a functional cement designed specifically for bone repair applications.

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Gdańsk University of Technology by the DEC -14/2022/IDUB/III.4.1/Tgrant under the TECHNETIUM 'Excellence Initiative – Research University program.