Biologically inspired growth of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals inside self-assembled collagen fibers

Bone defects are generally filled using autologous implants because artificial bone materials have low bioaffinity. However, natural bone can induce infections and antigenic reaction, therefore, the preparation of artificial material with composition, structure and biological feature comparable to those of bone is a goal to be pursued. The aim of this work was to follow a biologically inspired approach performing a direct nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HA) on self-assembled collagen fibers to set up a collagen-hydroxyapatite nanocrystals composite as a new particularly attractive material for bone repair and reconstruction. X-ray diffractometric technique, thermogravimetric (TG-DTG), spectroscopic (FT-IR, ICP), microscopic (SEM, TEM) analyses have been used to highlight the likeness of the artificial biomimetic HA/Col composite with natural bone tissue. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.