In situ processing and properties of nanostructured hydroxyapatite/alginate composite

A series of hydroxyapatite/alginate (HA/Alg) nanocomposites with alginate amounts varying from 10 to 40 wt% were prepared through in situ hybridization technique. The inorganic phase in the composites was carbonate-substituted HA with low crystallinity. The crystallinity of HA decreased with the increase of alginate content. HA crystallites were needle-like in shape with a typical size of 20 to 50 nm in length and 5 nm in width. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that the chemical interaction occurred between the mineral phase and the polymer matrix. As compared to pure HA without alginate, the composites showed more homogeneous microstructures, where HA nanocrystals were well embedded in alginate matrix. Among all the samples, the composite containing 30 wt% alginate exhibited a highly ordered three-dimensional network, similar to natural bone's microstructure.