CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE COMPOUND CELLULOSE FIBERS COMPOSITE-MATERIAL PREPARED IN SOAKING MEDIUM AT 36.5-60-DEGREES-C

Calcium phosphate growth on cellulose fibers phosphorylated in 1.5 x S BF (simulated body fluid) solution at various temperatures from 36.5-6 0 degrees C was studied. Cellulose fibers phosphorylated by using urea and H3PO4 and then soaked in saturated Ca(OH)(2) solution at ambient temperature were found to stimulate the growth of a calcium phosphate coating on their surfaces after soaking in 1.5 x SBF solution for as l ittle as one day. Soaking in 1.5 x SBF solution at higher temperature produced a thicker layer of calcium phosphate on the fibers, which may be due to the decrease of solubility of calcium phosphate. The specif ic surface area of the coatings decreased with an increase of soaking temperature and soaking time in 1.5 x SBF solution.