Mineralization of regenerated cellulose hydrogels

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