Comparison of Ca/P mineralization on the surfaces of poly (ε-caprolactone) composites filled with silane-modified nano-apatite

This study aims to comparatively investigate the Ca/P mineralization on the surfaces of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) composites with apatite nano-fillers, which were modified with silane coupling agents. Three kinds of silane coupling agents like 3-Methylacryoxypropyltrimethoxy silane (KH560), γ-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (KH570), and N-(β-aminoethyl)- γ-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane (KH792) were firstly employed to modify the surfaces of nano-apatite particles, and then silane-modified nano-apatite/PCL composites were prepared by combining solvent dispersion and melting co-blending with hot-pressing methods. The Ca/P mineralization of the modified PCL-Matrix composites was evaluated by soaking in 2-time simulated body fluid (2SBF) at 36.5 °C and pH 7.40 after 21 days. These results showed that the Ca/P mineralization on the surface of the silane-modified composite was same as not modified composite. Apatite obtained on the surface of the modified composite film was of lower crystallinity, 1.62 Ca/P ratio and carbonate ceramic, similar to inorganic composition of bone in biological body, and not notably different from one of not modified PCL composite. This discussion revealed that as-fabricated silane-modified composite could achieve Ca/P mineralization and exhibited the ability of obtaining like-bone apatite on own surface like other bioactive materials. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.