Bioinspired organic-inorganic composite materials prepared by an alternate soaking process as a tissue reconstitution matrix

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) grafted poly(ethylene) (PE) (PAAc-g-PE) film-apatite or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) composite materials were prepared by an alternate soaking process, which simply forms apatite or CaCO3 on the polymer materials by alternate soaking in Ca2+- and PO43-- or CO32--containing solutions. X-ray diffraction analysis of the composite films indicated the presence of hydroxyapatite or CaCO3 on the film. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the whole surface of the film was covered by the apatite or CaCO3. Cell compatibility tests of the apatite- or CaCO3-coated film suggested that the greater number of cells adhered on the films and that the cell proliferation properties were extremely greater on the films. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.