title: Synthesis and characterization of biocomposites with different hydroxyapatite-collagen ratios.
abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA)-type I collagen (Col) composite is a tissue-engineered bone graft which can act as a carrier or a template structure for cells or any other agents. In this paper, the effect of Col ratio on the scaffold structure and composition was analyzed. Scaffolds composed by HA/Col with different weight ratios (80:20; 50:50; 20:80, and 10:90) were produced by the precipitation method at pH 8-9, 37 degrees C and 6 h of ripening. Using X-ray diffraction data, the Rietveld structure refinement showed that the size of HA crystals along the c-axis direction (002) decreases significantly in the presence of Col. Thus, the HA crystal shape turned from needle-like in pure HA, into spherical, in the 10:90 composite due to Col fibrillogenesis. The homogeneity of the composite was significantly dependent on the amount of Col in it. HA/Col 20/80 composite presented HA particles in a more homogenous way. Such a biocomposite was successfully produced in a rapid way and it is potentially useful for both small tissue repairs and engineering.
authors: Materials Metrology Division, Inmetro, Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil. lidiasena@pq.cnpq.br
authors: Lidia A
authors: LA
authors: Sena
authors: Mirta M
authors: MM
authors: Caraballo
authors: Alexandre M
authors: AM
authors: Rossi
authors: Gloria A
authors: GA
authors: Soares
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000032:analysis*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D017886:Durapatite