Multiscale and multimodal X-ray analysis: Quantifying phase orientation and morphology of mineralized turkey leg tendons

Maurya, Anjani K.; Parrilli, Annapaola; Kochetkova, Tatiana; Schwiedrzik, Jakob; Dommann, Alex; Neels, Antonia (2021). Multiscale and multimodal X-ray analysis: Quantifying phase orientation and morphology of mineralized turkey leg tendons. Acta biomaterialia, 129, pp. 169-177. Elsevier 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.022

Preview

Text Maurya2021.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY). Download (3MB) | Preview

Fibrous biocomposites like bone and tendons exhibit a hierarchical arrangement of their components ranging from the macroscale down to the molecular level. The multiscale complex morphology, together with the correlated orientation of their constituents, contributes significantly to the outstanding mechanical properties of these biomaterials. In this study, a systematic road map is provided to quantify the hierarchical structure of a mineralized turkey leg tendon (MTLT) in a holistic multiscale evaluation by combining micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). We quantify the interplay of the main MTLT components with respect to highly ordered organic parts such as fibrous collagen integrating inorganic components like hydroxyapatite (HA). The microscale fibrous morphology revealing different types of porous features and their orientation was quantified based on micro-CT investigations. The quantitative analysis of the alignment of collagen fibrils and HA crystallites was established from the streak-like signal in SAXS using the Ruland approach and the broadening of azimuthal profiles of the small and wide-angle diffraction peaks. It has been in general agreement that HA crystallites are co-aligned with the nanostructure of mineralized tissue. However, we observe relatively lower degree of orientation of HA crystallites compared to the collagen fibrils, which supports the recent findings of the structural interrelations within mineralized tissues. The generic multiscale characterization approach of this study is relevant to any hierarchically structured biomaterials or bioinspired materials from the μm-nm-Å scale. Hence, it gives the basis for future structure-property relationship investigations and simulations for a wide range of hierarchically structured materials.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

30 since deposited on 09 Feb 2023
19 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item