Formation of Bone-like Nanocrystalline Apatite Using Self-Assembled Liquid Crystals
Journal article, 2012

A two-step process using liquid crystalline phases combined with controlled postcrystallization for the preparation of bone-like apatite has been developed. First, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) spherules with a diameter of 10.8 +/- 1.4 nm and specific surface area (SSA) in the range of 150-170 m(2)/g were synthesized within a reverse hexagonal liquid crystalline (LC) phase. Second, the ACP spherules were dispersed and aged in Milli-Qwater, where they crystallized into poorly crystalline apatite (PCA). The addition of heparin during aging was explored, which was shown to retard the ACP - PCA conversion. The particle formation within the LC phase was monitored using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, and the formed materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, thermogravimetry with infrared-coupled analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The PCA formed using the LC aging route presented bone-resembling features, such as,Ca2+ and OH- deficiency, CO32- substitution, poor crystallinity; and ultrahigh SSA of 356 m(2)/g. The resulting particles were compared to hydroxyapatite synthesized via a conventional water-based precipitation method. The LC-aging route exhibited excellent controllability over the CaP crystallization, which enabled facile tailoring of the resulting material properties for different types of application.

liquid crystalline phase

amorphous calcium-phosphate

phosphate

nanoparticles

crystallography

apatite

bone

calcium

Author

Wenxiao He

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry

Per Kjellin

Promimic AB

Fredrik Currie

Promimic AB

PAUL HANDA

Promimic AB

Christopher Knee

University of Gothenburg

Johan Bielecki

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Physics

L. R. Wallenberg

Lund University

Martin Andersson

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry

Chemistry of Materials

0897-4756 (ISSN) 1520-5002 (eISSN)

Vol. 24 5 892-902

Subject Categories

Materials Engineering

Chemical Sciences

DOI

10.1021/cm201077t

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Latest update

9/6/2018 1