Summary: Journal of Crystal Growth 280 (2005) 587­593
Optimization of the mineral content in polymeric gels:
The effect of calcium to phosphate molar ratio
Prasenjit Dasa
, Ozan Akkusa,Ã, Abdul-Majeed Azadb
a
Department of Bioengineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Mail Stop 303, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
b
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Mail Stop 305, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Received 2 December 2004; accepted 4 April 2005
Communicated by K. Sato
Abstract
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 0.5­5.0. 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 955­960 cmÀ1

Source: Azad, Abdul-Majeed - Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Toledo

Collections: Materials Science; Energy Storage, Conversion and Utilization