Mineralization of regenerated cellulose hydrogels

Due to their high water swelling, regenerated cellulose hydrogels and spong es were pre-incubated in a Ca-containing solution, and their mineralization was investigated. Results obtained demonstrate that a simple pre-incubatio n treatment in a Ca containing solution can induce mineralization in materi als with limited or no tendency to mineralize. The minerals formed had an a patitic carbonated and poorly crystalline structure, resembling carbonated hydroxyapatite found in bone mineral. The apatitic layer formed showed a re latively accelerated growth using this technique, exhibiting nodules in the ir macroscopic structure, which seem to indicate lateral growth. The porous structure of regenerated cellulose sponges was also homogeneously minerali zed using this technique. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.