Beyond Reinforcement: Collagen–Inorganic Composites as a Roadmap for Next-Generation Biomaterials
Marcelo Assis, Giovanna A. Grasser, Mirian Bonifacio, Karolyne S. J. Sousa, Amanda de Souza, Anna Rafaela Cavalcante Braga, Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
TL;DR
This review explores how combining collagen with inorganic materials can create better biomaterials with improved strength and functionality for medical use.
Contribution
The paper provides a roadmap for designing collagen-inorganic composites using mechanism-guided frameworks rather than trial-and-error methods.
Findings
Collagen-inorganic composites offer enhanced mechanical and functional properties compared to pure collagen.
Spatial organization and interface chemistry significantly influence biological performance and stability.
Reproducibility and long-term safety remain challenges due to variations in material preparation.
Abstract
The convergence of materials science and biology has reshaped the design of biomaterials, exposing both new opportunities and unresolved challenges. Among natural polymers, collagen remains a cornerstone due to its biocompatibility and structural affinity with the extracellular matrix. However, its intrinsic mechanical weakness, rapid degradation, and limited bioactivity restrict its clinical potential. The incorporation of inorganic phasescarbon nanostructures, metallic nanoparticles, or functional oxideshas emerged as a route to overcome these limitations and introduce new functionalities such as antimicrobial protection, osteoconductivity, electrical responsiveness, and stimuli sensitivity. Yet, this hybridization introduces complex interfacial phenomena that demand careful architectural and chemical control. The spatial organization of pores, fibers, and surface topographies…
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Taxonomy
TopicsCollagen: Extraction and Characterization · Silk-based biomaterials and applications · Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications