Hydroxyapatite/collagen composite materials formation in simulated body fluid environment

The biomimitic growth of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on the surface of collagen membrane soaked in 1.5 x simulate body fluid (SBF) solution was observed in situ by phase-contrast microscopy. The nucleation of HAp was very slow at the initial stage (first 3 days) on the surface of collagen. After an incubation period, the growth of HAp crystals occurred quickly. The negatively charged carboxylate groups of collagen surface are responsible for the deposition of HAp. This deduction was confirmed by the red shifts of stretching vibration band of carboxylate groups of collagen molecules in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. The crystallographic structure of HAp/collagen composite was studied by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPM). This composite material of HAp/collagen may be applicable for use as a bone substitute. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.