Water dispersible hydroxyapatite nanoparticles functionalized by a family of aminoalkyl phosphates

A series of aminoalkyl phosphates (AAP-n, with carbon number n ranging from 2 to 6) are used as surface modifiers to prepare hydroxyapatite hydrocolloids. The resulting nanoparticles (Cn-HA) possess a coreshell structure where an ionized layer of calcium-(AAP-n) complex [⁺H₃N-(CH₂)_n-OPO₃Ca] encapsulates each hydroxyapatite core. Long-term colloidal stability is achieved due to the electrostatic repulsion among the suspending particles. The incorporation of AAP-n results in a preferential crystal growth along c-axis, showing an increasing aspect ratio of particles from C2-HA to C6-HA. Preliminary cell culture using osteoblast-like MG63 cells shows no cytotoxicity associated with the as-prepared Cn-HA particles. The functional amino groups around the nanoparticles could be used to graft various organic chains to prepare homogeneous HA/polymer composites as bone grafting materials.     

Hydroxyapatite grown on a native extracellular matrix: initial interactions with human fibroblasts

Proteins are known to modulate the physical properties of minerals, and thus we anticipate that they will strongly influence the structure and the biological properties of biomimetically prepared carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite. This study was designed to learn more about the main morphological characteristics of hydroxyapatite layer grown on different substrates coated with an extracellular matrix, a biological matrix that was produced by cultured osteoblast-like cells. The hydroxyapatite growth was carried out in a simulated body fluid, a solution that resembles the human blood plasma. It was found that the extracellular matrix may serve as a template for the mineralization of biomimetic hydroxyapatite on the surface of materials like stainless steel, silicon, and silica glass, leading to the formation of a homogeneous layer. The latter was consisting of nanometer-sized hydroxyapatite crystals grouped in particles with regular sphere shape and with a significantly higher average diameter in comparison to samples without extracellular matrix coating. Subsequent in vitro studies with living fibroblasts showed that the cellular behavior depended on the type of underlying substrate used for the hydroxyapatite growth, as well as on the immersion time of the samples in the simulated body fluid. Increasing the thickness of the hydroxyapatite layer altered visibly the cellular response, and the fibroblasts developed stellate morphology on the samples with a hydroxyapatite-extracellular matrix coating. Preadsorption with fibronectin significantly improved the initial cell adhesion and spreading to all surfaces. Thus, such an approach may contribute to the development of surfaces with better tissue compatibility.     

STEM and EDXS characterisation of physico-chemical reactions at the periphery of sol-gel derived Zn-substituted hydroxyapatites during interactions with biological fluids

With its good properties of biocompatibility and bioactivity hydroxyapatite (HA) is highly used as bone substitutes and as coatings on metallic prostheses. In order to improve the bioactive properties of HA, we have elaborated Zn²⁺ doped hydroxyapatite. Zn²⁺ ions substitute for Ca²⁺ cations in the HA structure and four Zn concentrations (Zn/Zn + Ca) were prepared at 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 at.%. To study physico-chemical reactions at the materials periphery, we immersed the bioceramics into biological fluids for intervals from 1 day to 20 days. The surface changes were studied at the nanometer scale by scanning transmission electron microscopy associated with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. After 20 days of immersion, we observed the formation of a calcium–phosphate layer at the periphery of the HA doped with 5% zinc. This layer contains magnesium and its thickness was around 200 nm. Formation of this Ca–P–Mg layer represents the bioactive properties of 5% Zn-substituted hydroxyapatite. This biologically active layer improves the properties of HA and will permit a chemical bond between the ceramic and bone.     

Preparation and characterization of carbonated barium-calcium hydroxyapatite solid solutions

Particles of carbonated barium-calcium hydroxyapatite solid solutions (BaCaHap) with different Ba/(Ba+Ca) (X(Ba)) atomic ratios were prepared by a wet method at 100 degrees C and characterized by various means. The crystal phases and structures of the products strongly depended on the composition of the starting solution, that is, the Ba/(Ba+Ca) atomic ratio ([X(Ba)]) and H3PO4 concentration ([H3PO4]) in the solution. BaCaHap with X(Ba)0.43 could be prepared at [X(Ba)]0.7 by changing [H3PO4], but could never be obtained at [X(Ba)]=0.8-0.95 regardless of [H3PO4]. The carbonated calcium hydroxyapatite particles prepared at [X(Ba)]=0 were fine and short rod-shaped particles (ca. 14x84 nm). With increasing [X(Ba)] from 0 to 0.8, the particles obtained became large spherical agglomerates. The carbonated barium hydroxyapatite particles formed at [X(Ba)]=1 were long rod-shaped agglomerates (ca. 0.2x2 microm) of fine primary particles. The amount of CO2 adsorbed irreversibly on a series of BaCaHaps showed a minimum at (Ba+Ca)/(P+C) atomic ratio of around 1.56, which agreed well with the minimum cation/P ratio obtained for the other hydroxyapatites, as already reported.     

Surface modifications of bioglass immersed in TRIS-buffered solution. A multitechnical spectroscopic study

Bioglass 45S5 is used in the medical field as a bone regenerative material. In fact, when immersed in body fluid, a layer of hydroxy carbonate apatite (HCA), an analogue to the mineral phase that bones are made of, is deposited on its surface. A mechanism that would explain this process has been hypothesized and includes cation leaching from the glass to the solution and formation of both a silica-rich layer and a Ca/P-rich surface layer, prior to the actual crystallization of HCA. The present paper analyzes the dissolution of 2-mum-size particles of Bioglass in TRIS-buffered solution, focusing on the modifications occurring at the surface of the particles. Results from Transmission FT-IR, Raman, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy were compared in order to obtain this information. In all cases, precise spectral band assignments were obtained by comparing Bioglass spectra, before and after reaction, with the spectra registered on some selected reference samples. The results confirm the hypothesized mechanism of Bioglass reactivity and yield new insights on the surface modifications of the samples. In particular, the following is shown: the strength of the surface H-bonding system and of water coordination decreases during the reaction; surface carbonates, initially mainly bound to Na, are substituted by an increasing amount of Ca-bound carbonates; and the final calcium phosphate layer obtained is very similar, but not identical, to carbonated hydroxyapatite.     

羟基磷灰石/离子液体混合膜修饰电极的制备及其应用于水中痕量镉离子的高选择性测定

利用溴代十六烷基三甲基铵(CTAB)为模板, 合成制备了棒状羟基磷灰石颗粒, 并以SEM, XRD, IR等手段进行了表征. 用制备的羟基磷灰石与自制的离子液体([BMIM]PF6)充分混合涂覆在玻碳电极表面制备了羟基磷灰石/离子液体修饰电极, 研究了镉离子在该修饰电极上的富集和电化学行为. 结果发现, 羟基磷灰石对镉离子有较好的富集作用, 而离子液体则可以在开路条件下使镉离子还原为金属镉, 氧化扫描时可以得到镉的灵敏氧化溶出峰, 以此为基础建立了一种高选择性地测定痕量镉离子的新方法, 该方法可以较好地避免铅、汞、银等重金属离子的干扰, 对镉离子检出限可达2.0×10－8 mol•L－1, 在4.0×10－8～2.2×10－7 mol•L－1的浓度范围内, 氧化溶出峰电流与Cd(II)的浓度呈良好的线性关系. 该研究有望在环境检测和环境治理方面发挥重要作用.     

电化学沉积羟基磷灰石过程晶体生长行为

采用恒电流电化学沉积方法从含钙与磷盐水溶液中直接在纯金属钛电极表面沉积纳米羟基磷灰石涂层,运用EDS、SEM、XRD、FTIR等方法对其进行表征. 重点考察了一种典型制备条件下钙磷沉积层的形貌、结构及组分随沉积时间的变化,进而探讨相应条件下电化学沉积羟基磷灰石涂层晶体生长过程的基本规律. 研究表明电化学沉积法可用于在医用金属表面直接涂覆含钙离子缺陷的纳米羟基磷灰石涂层,典型条件下涂层的生长规律为: (1)沉积过程中羟基磷灰石晶粒以c轴方向沿沉积面法线方向择优生长,且这一趋势延续整个沉积过程; (2)内层晶粒的生长受到外层晶粒生长的抑制, 对于同层的晶粒,当晶粒分布密集时,晶粒生长可能发生相互制约; (3)随沉积时间的延长,沉积量增加,而膜层的化学组成基本不发生变化.     

溶胶-凝胶法制备Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 /TiO2复合涂层及其在模拟生理体液中的行为

The composite films consisting of hydroxyapatite (HAP) submicron particles embedded in the gel composed of the titania nanoparticles were prepared on commercial Ti6A14V plates with titania buffer layer obtained by a spin-coating technique. The films were calcined in air at various temperatures, and the bioactivities of the films were investigated by immersing them in acellular simulated body fliud (SBF). X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis were employed to investigate the phase formation and structure of the films before and after immersion, and the variations of Ca and P contents in SBF were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy(ICP). The results show that the as-prepared films were dense, homogeneous, all well-crystallized, and there was a close interracial bond between the film and the substrate. The characterisatics of the grown layer on the surfaces of the HAP/TiO2 films after immersion in SBF for different periods of time are specially discussed.     

Preparation and Characterization of Carbonated Barium Hydroxyapatites

Carbonated barium hydroxyapatite (Ba10(PO4)6(OH)2-2x(CO3)x, X = 0.30-0.57, BaHAP) particles with different Ba/P molar ratios were prepared by a wet method. CO2-3 ions were incorporated into OH- sites of a BaHAP lattice during the preparation at high solution pH. The obtained BaHAP particles were well crystallized and showed a high thermostability. On elevating the mixing temperature of H3PO4 and Ba(OH)2 solutions, the mean particle size of BaHAP particles decreased and their specific surface area increased. The amount of CO2 adsorbed irreversibly on BaHAP particles increased with an increase of their Ba/P molar ratio. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Preparation of153Sm-particles for radiosynovectomy

This paper summarizes the development and preparation procedures for two particulate preparations of¹⁵³Sm, namely the hydroxyapatite (HA) particles and human serum albumin (HSA) microspheres. Preparation of¹⁵³Sm-labeled hydroxyapatite particles and¹⁵³Sm-labeled albumin microspheres were done in two steps. Radiolabeling efficiency was greater than 95% for hydroxyapatite particles and greater than 80% for albumin microspheres.     

A comparison of the adsorption of saliva proteins and some typical proteins onto the surface of hydroxyapatite

Adsorption of protein from saliva on hydroxyapatite was compared with adsorption of several typical proteins with different electric charges, i.e. lysozyme, human serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin and ovalbumin. Adsorbed amounts of these proteins were determined and electrophoretic mobilities of protein-covered hydroxyapatite particles were measured, at different values for the adsorbed mass and, therefore, at various degrees of surface coverage. Also, adsorption kinetics were investigated by streaming potential measurements of a hydroxyapatite surface in contact with a protein solution, allowing monitoring of changes in the zeta-potential of the protein-covered hydroxyapatite surface in real time. The adsorbed amounts show that, as compared to most of the other proteins, the saliva proteins have remarkably low adsorption affinity. The measured values for the electrophoretic mobilities indicate that the positively charged proteins in the saliva mixture preferentially adsorb onto the negatively charged hydroxyapatite surface; this is most pronounced at low protein concentration in solution (i.e. at low coverage of the surface by the protein). Preferential uptake of the positively charged saliva proteins during the initial stages of the adsorption process is also concluded from the results of the kinetics experiments. Preferential adsorption of positive proteins is somewhat suppressed by the presence of Ca²⁺ ions in the medium. The results suggest that an acquired pellicle on a tooth in an oral environment contains a significant fraction of positively charged proteins. The positively charged proteins in the pellicle reduce the zeta-potential at the tooth surface to low values; consequently, electrostatic forces are expected to play only a minor role in the interaction with other components (e.g. bacterial cells).     

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Structure and Properties of Hydroxyapatite

X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy were used to demonstrate that hydroxyapatite produced by the precipitation method is a powder composed of anisometric particles with longitudinal size of 70–100 nm and transverse size of 7–9 nm. The particles are constituted by crystallites with longitudinal sizes of 22–24 nm and transverse sizes of 8–10 nm. At a temperature of 600°C, the crystallite sizes grow, and the volume porosity and specific surface area decrease. Synthetic hydroxyapatite has a low thermal stability as compared with hydroxyapatite of biological origin.     

Characterization of Fine Hydroxyapatite Powders Synthesized by Wet Process

Abstract

We prepared fine hydroxyapatite powders by dropping ammonium bi-phosphate into a calcium acetate solution and by vigorously stirring at 3O°C. We measured the powders' specific surface area to be 290 m²/g by the BET technique. The powders were mono-dispersed ultrafine particles by transmission electron microscopy investigation. No phase other than hydroxyapatite (JCPDS: 9–432) was revealed by X-ray diffractometry. A quantitative chemical analysis gave a Ca/P ratio very close to the exact hydroxyapatite stoichiometry (Ca/P: 1.67). Shrinkage started up to 800°C according to a dilatometric measurement and the dense products were obtained when heated at 1000°C for 2 h in air. We used a quadrupole mass spectrometer to monitor the gases desorbed from the hydroxyapatite powders at a constant heating rate of 5°C/min in a high vacuum. It is noted here that there were two peaks of H₂O and CO₂, respectively, and that we observed an increase in desorption of H₂. The two peaks were explained clearly with an infrared spectrometry analysis and a thermal analysis we made separately.     

Adsorption of citrate ions on hydroxyapatite synthetized by various methods

The specific adsorption of citric acid ions at hydroxyapatite interface was investigated by the means of radioisotope method (¹⁴C) as a function of citric acid ions concentration, NaCl concentration and pH. Application of the hydroxyapatite has become wide in the biomaterial field as the Ca₁₀(OH)₂(PO₄)₆ possess biocompatibility with human hard tissue. Hydroxyapatite was synthesized using three different methods. The physical properties of the resulting powder were characterized by DTA/TG, XRD, AFM and SEM microscopy. Physicochemical qualities characterizing the electrical double layer of the hydroxyapatite/NaCl solution interface were determined. The zeta potential and the adsorption of citric acid molecule were studied as a function of pH. The point of zero charge and the isoelectric point of samples were determined. Electrical double layer parameters of hydroxyapatite/NaCl interface are influenced by a synthesis method. The points pH_pzc and pH_IEP for sample 1 are pH_pzc 7.5 and pH_IEP 3; for sample 2 pH_pzc 7.05 and pH_IEP 3, for smaple 3 pH_pzc 6.7 and pH_IEP 3. Temperature has weak influence both on pure substance and with citric acid adsorbed, as derivatographic analysis has shown, and characterization of hydroxyapatite structure may be carried out by this thermal analysis. Two phenomena are responsible for citric acid adsorption: phosphate group’s replacement at hydroxyapatite surface by citric ions parallel to intraspherical complexes formation.     

Smart Soft‐Templating Synthesis of Hollow Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Spheres

Hollow bioactive glass spheres with mesoporous shells were prepared by using dual soft templates, a diblock co‐polymer poly(styrene‐b‐acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA) and a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Hollow mesoporous bioactive glass (HMBG) spheres comprise the large hollow interior with vertical mesochannels in shell, which realize large uptake of drugs and their sustained release. The formation of hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of HMBG particles shows the clear evidence for promising application in bone regeneration.     

Minerals and aligned collagen fibrils in tilapia fish scales: structural analysis using dark-field and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography

The mineralized structure of aligned collagen fibrils in a tilapia fish scale was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques after a thin sample was prepared using aqueous techniques. Electron diffraction and electron energy loss spectroscopy data indicated that a mineralized internal layer consisting of aligned collagen fibrils contains hydroxyapatite crystals. Bright-field imaging, dark-field imaging, and energy-filtered TEM showed that the hydroxyapatite was mainly distributed in the hole zones of the aligned collagen fibrils structure, while needle-like materials composed of calcium compounds including hydroxyapatite existed in the mineralized internal layer. Dark-field imaging and three-dimensional observation using electron tomography revealed that hydroxyapatite and needle-like materials were mainly found in the matrix between the collagen fibrils. It was observed that hydroxyapatite and needle-like materials were preferentially distributed on the surface of the hole zones in the aligned collagen fibrils structure and in the matrix between the collagen fibrils in the mineralized internal layer of the scale.     

Mechanical performance and in vivo bioactivity of functionally graded PEEK–HA biocomposite materials

A functionally graded material (FGM) of polyetheretherketone (PEEK)–hydroxyapatite (HA) with a symmetrical three-layer structure containing 8.7, 2.6 and 8.7 vol% HA, respectively, is successfully fabricated by hot pressing and evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing. A good bonding between the HA particles and the PEEK matrix is achieved by virtue of an in situ method in fabricating each PEEK–HA composite layer. There are no apparent microcracks and microscopic interfaces within each layer of the FGM. The symmetrical PEEK–HA FGM does not fall apart or delaminate during loading with a tensile strength of 86.2 MPa, and its fracture energy is 56.5 kJ/m². Furthermore, in vivo bioactivity of the FGM sample is also evaluated, showing that it has sound biocompability and bioactivity. Accordingly, the FGM in the future may be a promising biomaterial to be used as replacement implant of human bone through a proper design to balance mechanical properties and bioactivity.     

Self-organization processes and phase transitions in nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite according to exoemission data

Low-temperature (20–360°C) exoemission of negative charges from nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ was studied. Thermal cycling and storage at 20°C were found to induce self-organization processes with charge separation and the formation of a negatively charged layer on the surface. The negative charge formed was long retained at elevated temperatures and only decreased during cooling in the temperature region of the structural transition, as is characteristic of thermoelectrets. No stable electrets formed in hydroxyapatite samples calcined at a high temperature (>800°C).     

Apparent solubility distributions of hydroxyapatite and enamel apatite

Samples of human dental enamel and hydroxyapatite were equilibrated at 5 mg/40 ml for 9 days at 37 degrees C with acetate buffers adjusted to a range of saturations with respect to hydroxyapatite. Sigmoidal apparent solubility distributions, in which the fraction dissolved was plotted against--log(ion activity product for hydroxyapatite) (pIHA), were constructed. About 10% of the hydroxyapatite and 14% of the enamel was very soluble, dissolving even at pIHA 55. The apparent solubility distributions for both solids were invariant with pH (4.5, 5.0, 5.5), within experimental error, showing that solubility was controlled by a phase with the stoichiometry of hydroxyapatite, probably in the form of a surface layer or complex on the crystals, in agreement with other studies on carbonate-apatites and bone mineral. The pIHA at 50% dissolution was employed as an average value. The pIHA (50%) values for pooled data (58.76 for enamel and 60.17 for hydroxyapatite) were lower than the respective pIHA previously measured by conventional equilibration techniques. However, the average pIHA measured for enamel was higher than that obtained by the same technique in another study, possibly because of differences in specimen preparation and equilibration time. The possible implications of the findings for understanding the process of dental caries are discussed.     

Electrophoretic Deposition of Hydroxyapatite Coatings on Metal Substrates: A Nanoparticulate Dual-Coating Approach

Hydroxyapatite coatings can be readily deposited on metal substrates by electrophoretic deposition. However, subsequent sintering is highly problematic owing to the fact that temperatures in excess of 1100°C are required for commercial hydroxyapatite powders to achieve high density. Such temperatures damage the metal and induce metal-catalysed decomposition of the hydroxyapatite. Furthermore, the firing shrinkage of the hydroxyapatite coating on a constraining metal substrate leads to severe cracking. The present study has overcome these problems using a novel approach: the use of aged nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite sols (lower sintering temperature) and a dual coating strategy that overcomes the cracking problem. Dual layers of uncalcined hydroxyapatite (HAp) powder were electrophoretically coated on Ti, Ti6Al4V and 316L stainless steel metal substrates, sintered at 875–1000°C, and characterised by SEM and XRD, and interfacial shear strength measurement. Dual coatings on stainless steel had an average high bond strength (about 23 MPa), and dual coatings on titanium and titanium alloy had moderate strengths (about 14 and 11 MPa, respectively), in comparison with the measured shear strength of bone (35 MPa). SEM and XRD demonstrated that the second layer blended seamlessly with the first and filled the cracks in the first. The superior result on stainless steel is attributed to a more appropriate thermal expansion match with hydroxyapatite, the thinner oxide layer, or a combination of these factors.