Composition-controlled nanocomposites of apatite and collagen incorporating silicon as an osseopromotive agent.
The development of a novel biocomposite of apatite (Ap) and collagen incorporating low-level additions of silicon (Si) as an osseopromotive agent is detailed. Designed to mimic the structural and compositional characteristics of developing bone, this composite is produced via a coprecipitation method, through which the weight percentage of Ap (i.e., the Ap/collagen ratio) can be varied. Coprecipitates produced at Ap contents of 80 wt % (Ap/collagen=4:1), 60 wt % (Ap/collagen=3:2), and 40 wt % (Ap/collagen=2:3) Ap showed markedly different morphologies, ranging from ceramic-like particulates to rope-like macro-fibrils; at all three Ap contents, however, the nanostructural features of the composites remained qualitatively indistinguishable, with equiaxed Ap nanocrystals distributed randomly throughout a matrix of amorphous collagen. Si incorporation was observed to occur preferentially in the collagenous phase-a result with potential impact on local controlled release of Si.
Lynn
A K
AK
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 1TP, United Kingdom. andrew.k.lynn@cantab.net
Nakamura
T
T
Patel
N
N
Porter
A E
AE
Renouf
A C
AC
Laity
P R
PR
Best
S M
SM
Cameron
R E
RE
Shimizu
Y
Y
Bonfield
W
W
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012756:Sheep; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D003094:Collagen; D012825:Silicon