title: Cross-linkage of hydroxyapatite/gelatin nanocomposite using imide-based zero-length cross-linker.
abstract: Hydroxyapatite [HAp]/Gelatin [GEL] nanocomposite was prepared at 37 and 48 degrees C through coprecipitation process. The HAp/GEL nanocomposite slurries were cross-linked by imide-based zero-length cross-linking agent such as N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The chemical bond formation and microstructure in HAp/GEL nanocomposite was investigated as a function of cross-linking agents and temperature. The single addition of EDC into the composite slurries resulted in a tougher microstructure in both samples prepared at 37 and 48 degrees C. However, in the case of the simultaneous addition of EDC and NHS the sample prepared at 48 degrees C showed a coarse microstructure. These results were consistent with the fact that the chemical reactivity of NHS is degraded at 48 degrees C whereas the reactivity of EDC increases up to 80 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: School of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 573-701, Korea. mcchang@kunsan.ac.kr
authors.forename: Myung Chul
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D007094:Imides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D007094:Imides; D005780:Gelatin; D017886:Durapatite