Optimization of the mineral content in polymeric gels: The effect of calcium to phosphate molar ratio

The influence of calcium to phosphate (Ca/P) molar ratio on the extent of mineralization in a model (poly)acrylamide gel was investigated under simulated physiological conditions. We hypothesized that the optimal growth of hydroxyapatite crystals will take place at the stoichiometric Ca/P molar ratio of 1.67. Phosphate ions were incorporated during the polymerization of the gel and mineralization was initiated by submersion of the gel in calcium acetate solution. Ca/P molar ratios were varied in the range of 0.5–5.0. The mineralized gel was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mineral weight fraction analysis via ashing. Raman spectra captured across the bulk of the gels indicated the presence of mineral at the core section. The phosphate symmetric stretching peak was observed in the range of 955–960 cm⁻¹ which is characteristic of hydroxyapatite. SEM images showed that crystals formed at Ca/P=2.0 were denser and larger in size than at other molar ratios. In agreement with SEM images, the dry weight fraction of mineral reached the maximum at the molar ratio of 2.0 and the extent of mineralization rapidly declined as the molar ratio diverged from 2.0. Also, the crystallinity of the mineral was optimum at the molar ratio of 2.0. Thus it appears that for effective mineralization, the molar ratio of the two ions needs to be in excess of the stoichiometric requirement, suggesting that ions are expended in processes other than the formation and growth of hydroxyapatite crystals. Therefore, the optimal level of mineralization in biomimetic-based growth of calcium phosphate crystals in sol–gel environment requires consideration of a range of molar ratios as opposed to using the molar ratios corresponding to that of the crystal species intended to grow.