| Abstract: | Polyacrylamide hydrogel is a biomaterial and nondegradable water based polymer which is used as tissue filler. Mineralization of hydroxyapatite (HAp) in a UV polymerized acrylamide gel matrix was investigated by varying the concentration of precursors and pH in the range 8, 9 and 10. During polymerization, diammonium hydrogen phosphate ions were impregnated in the gel matrix and subsequently, immersed in the calcium nitrate solution. Thin laminated macroporous structures, embedded with nanospheres and ribbons of HAp were mineralized. The HAp was found to be oriented along c‐axis, which could lead to the preferential binding of the acidic proteins on it's surface. In addition, there was an enlargement of pore sizes with an increase in pH. The laminated structures showed resorbable nature whereas, flake like structures obtained at higher concentrations were found to be bioactive. This composite could be an alternative to the use of silicone gel, to avoid long term risk of fibrosis and migration when implanted. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
