engleski

Control of Calcium Phosphate Crystal Nucleation, Growth and Morphology by Polyelectrolytes

Biomimetic deposition of calcium phosphate coatings onto bioinert surfaces with the purpose, to induce bioactivity and facilitate osteointegration, is rapidly gaining in importance. Another important development is the incorporation of proteins and enzymes into the coatings. However, significant changes of the morphology of the coatings upon addition of proteins into the calcifying solution have been observed. In this context, systematic studies of the effect of polyelectrolytes (PE) on calcium phosphate crystallization seem to be of considerable importance. In this paper we discuss the influence of several PE’ s, differing in charge and molecular structure, on the rate of crystal nucleation, growth and morphology of calcium hydrogenphosphate dihydrate (DCPD), octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and/or calcium deficient apatite (DA).

calcium phosphate; crystal growth; polyelectrolytes

Key Engineering Materials ; vol. 254-256 ; ISSN 1013-9826