title: Apatite formation on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-silica hybrids prepared by sol-gel process.
abstract: Hybrids of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), a polymer that has been employed in a wide variety of biomedical applications, and silica-gel, which exhibits a well-known bioactivity, were produced. The obtained hybrids were characterized and their in vitro ability to induce the formation of a calcium phosphate layer on the surface was evaluated. The surface area of hybrids decreased with increasing amounts of PHEMA so that hybrids with more than approximately 40% PHEMA are virtually non-porous. All hybrids induced the formation of a calcium phosphate layer on their surfaces when soaked into simulated body fluid. The induction time and the morphology of the apatite layer varied according to the polymer content.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, CDTN/CNEN, Rua Prof. Mário Werneck, Campus da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, 30123-970.
authors.forename: Ricardo O R
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Marivalda M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Fernando S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Lameiras
authors.forename: Wander L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D010316:Particle Size; D044367:Phase Transition; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D012822:Silicon Dioxide