We gratefully acknowledge financial support for parts of this investigation by the DFG within the focal point program principles of biomineralization (SPP 1117, Prinzipien der Biomineralization). Sincere thanks are given to: R. Radlanski, and H. Renz (FU Berlin) as well as S. Pfeiffer (University of Kiel) for their support with the realization of shock-frozen sample preparation and TEM images, M. Hanfland, and G. Vaughan (ESRF Grenoble) for their support with synchrotron radiation experiments, U. Burkhardt (MPI CPfS, Dresden) for the determination of the density, P. Schmidt (TU Dresden) and R. Niewa as well as S. Müller (MPI CPfS) for thermogravimetric analysis, H. Borrmann and O. Hochrein (MPI CPfS) for their support analyzing the single crystal X-ray-diffraction data, and O. H. for his help with the inside cover and the superposition figure to visualize the growth mechanism, J. Buder (MPI CPfS) for sample preparations, and finally to B. Bayer, U. Schmidt, and A. Völzke for realizing numerous chemical analyses.
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Full Paper
Chemical and Structural Investigations of Biomimetically Grown Fluorapatite–Gelatin Composite Aggregates†
Article first published online: 7 MAR 2003
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200390029
© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Additional Information
How to Cite
Busch, S., Schwarz, U. and Kniep, R. (2003), Chemical and Structural Investigations of Biomimetically Grown Fluorapatite–Gelatin Composite Aggregates. Adv. Funct. Mater., 13: 189–198. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200390029
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 MAR 2003
- Article first published online: 7 MAR 2003
- Manuscript Accepted: 6 NOV 2002
- Manuscript Received: 6 JUN 2002
- Abstract
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- Cited By
Keywords:
- Aggregates, composite;
- Biomimetics;
- Biomineralization;
- Imaging techniques
Abstract
Deeper understanding of the basic principles of biomineralization is a major challenge for present and future research. The high complexity of in-vivo conditions calls for simplified model systems that still involve dynamic processes like reorganization, formation, self-organization, and development of patterns, respectively. The present contribution deals with hierarchically ordered spherical aggregates of fluorapatite–gelatin composites with fractal architecture that are grown in gelatin matrices. The model system was chosen to mimic formation conditions on a lower level of complexity compared with the natural formation of calcified tissue (bone, teeth). In order to gain insight into structure formation and the motif for this special kind of morphogenesis we investigated the interaction of the organic and inorganic components of aggregates in different growth stages by detailed chemical analyses, thermoanalytical measurements, X-ray diffraction on solitary particles, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. The close relation of the results and observations to calcified tissue may stimulate advanced interests in the fields of medical and materials development.