Biocompatibility of modified silica-protein composite layers

Biocomposite layers of silica and various bone-relevant proteins such as co llagen, gelatine and commercial collagen hydrolysate can be obtained from c oatings of silica sols mixed with proteins in water/dioxane. Investigations into the mechanical and cell proliferation properties for different sol pa rameters (pH, solvent), type and concentration of proteins, annealing and c rosslinking of the biocomposite layers revealed that such coatings are high ly biocompatible with excellent mechanical properties.