Surface modification of nano-hydroxyapatite with silane agent

Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) was modified by using silane coupling reagent (KH-560), and the interfacial interactions between n-BA and KH-560 was also studied. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analyses show that the silane coupling molecular binds strongly to n-HA surface. Chemical bonding (Si-O-P) is formed by the reaction between Si-OH and HPO42- group, and a similar interlace effect exists between Si-OH and the hydroxyl group of HA. Surface modification of HA particles can improve the mechanical strength of the n-HA/polycarbonate (n-HA/PC) composites dramatically. SEM observation shows that modified HA particles uniformly distribute in the PC matrix. The results indicate that the interfacial interaction between surface-modified inorganic particles and polymer matrix is crucial for the improvement of the mechanical strength of the composites.