In situ synthesis of bone-like apatite/collagen nano-composite at low temperature

A nano-composite of bone-like apatite/collagen was prepared by a new method-low-temperature in situ synthesis using calcium nitrate, diammoniun hydrogen phosphate and cow hide collagen as starting materials. The composite was investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that bone-like nanoapatite particles were distributed uniformly in collagen fibrils in the composite. The composite with homogeneous microstructure was similar to natural bone in crystallite phase composition and crystal size. The biomimetic composite is expected to exhibit desirable properties in biomedical applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.