Collagen-Calcium Phosphate Hybrids for Bone Grafts: A Novel Route Leading to High Initial Strengths
An organic/inorganic composite hydrogel route was used to prepare collagen-calcium phosphate hybrids with high mechanical strengths, via in-situ mineral synthesis during collagen fibrillogenesis followed by dehydration. An array of characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the final products are analogous to natural bone. A three-point bending strength of 70 MPa, much higher than the values reported in the literature, was recorded in the present case, due to the three dimensional network structure achieved between inorganic and organic phases. This innovative method provides an efficient route to produce bone grafts with the desirable mechanical properties which are dependent upon the actual inorganic/organic ratio and water content.