Effect of surface charge on the apatite mineralization process

摘要

In this current study it was investigated the influence of positively and negatively charged surfaces on apatite nucleation process from a supersaturate solution containing calcium and phosphorus (SBF solution). Glass slides were coated with polyelectrolytes thin films using a standard method to produce self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Slides without treatment were used as control. Positive and negative glass slides were soaking in simulated body fluid (1.5 SBF) for 2, 8, 24 and 96 hours. The surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Accordingly, the apatite mineralization was observed on all surfaces, no matter the surface charge. No remarkable morphological changes were verified between the precipitate in both positive and negative surfaces. It suggests that the crystal growth is not influenced by the initial attraction between either a negative surface and Ca~(2+) ions or a positive one and PO_4~(3-) ions.