The aim of this work was to study effect of the type of silica nanoparticles on the properties of nanocomposites for application in the guided bone regeneration (GBR). Two types of nanometric silica particles with different size, morphology and specific surface area (SSA) i.e., high specific surface silica (hss-SiO₂) and low specific surface silica (lss-SiO₂), were used as nano-fillers for a resorbable polymer matrix: poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), called PLDLA. It was shown that higher surface specific area and morphology (including pore size distribution) recorded for hss-SiO₂ influences chemical activity of the nanoparticle; in addition, hydroxyl groups appeared on the surface. The nanoparticle with 10 times lower specific surface area (lss-SiO₂) characterized lower chemical action. In addition, a lack of hydroxyl groups on the surface obstructed apatite nucleation (reduced zeta potential in comparison to hss-SiO₂), where an apatite layer appeared already after 48 h of incubation in the simulated body fluid (SBF), and no significant changes in crystallinity of PLDLA/lss-SiO₂ nanocomposite material in comparison to neat PLDLA foil were observed. The presence and type of inorganic particles in the PLDLA matrix influenced various physicochemical properties such as the wettability, and the roughness parameter note for PLDLA/lss-SiO₂ increased. The results of biological investigation show that the bioactive nanocomposites with hss-SiO₂ may stimulate osteoblast and fibroblast cells’proliferation and secretion of collagen type I. Additionally, both nanocomposites with the nanometric silica inducted differentiation of mesenchymal cells into osteoblasts at a proliferation stage in in vitro conditions. A higher concentration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was observed on the material modified with hss-SiO₂ silica.

The aim of the work was to develop innovative antibacterial hybrid coatings applied on implants that are used for anastomoses of animals' long bones and to assess their physicochemical and biological properties. Plates made of the titanium alloy were covered with composite hybrid layers so as to protect the implant surface against corrosion and to enhance it with antibacterial properties.The hybrid coatings were obtained electrochemical oxidation and sol-gel. First, a layer of titanium nanotubes was applied to the implants surface through anodization. Next, the sol-gel method was used to create the second layer with silver nanoparticles. The microstructure examination of the materials was performed with the SEM. The phase composition analysis was carried out via the X-ray diffraction. The surface parameters (roughness, contact angle and free surface energy) were assessed. Biological studies of implants were conducted, including the analysis of degradation processes, cell response and bactericidal activity. The results confirmed that the hybrid antibacterial layers effectively protected the implant surface against scratches and corrosion and eliminated bacteria, which in turn would promote bone healing. The advantageous physicochemical and biological properties of metallic implants with hybrid composite layers raise hopes for their applicability in the veterinary treatment of bone fractures.