Nucleation and growth of calcium phosphate precipitates on silicon substrates grafted with organosilanes.

Calcium phosphate surfaces are developed on materials that are biocompatible with bone tissues, upon implantation, or such surfaces are present with characteristics similar to the bone mineral phase. The changing surface characteristics of calcium phosphate precipitates are modeled in this study by combining matrices and biological molecules. Modeling of surface functional groups on biomaterials using self assembled monolayer (SAM) technology and the concept of ion-selective precipitation reaction that causes formation of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) layer on the functionalized surfaces were used.

Figure: SEM micrographs of deposits on: (a) SiOx (control), (b) NH2-terminated, (c) COOH-terminated, (d) OH-terminated silicon oxide surfaces. Deposits were evident on all surfaces, but coverage was higher on the hydroxylated surface. Scale bar = 100µm. Inserts are enlarged (10X) views. Samples were immersed for 7 days in TE.