A Novel approach for the morphology controlled synthesis of rod-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite using semi-IPN and IPN as a template

Present work offers use of semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) and interpenetrating network (IPN) as the template for the synthesis of nano-hydroxyapatites. Semi-IPN and IPN of agar-gelatin were prepared and successfully used to synthesize nano-hydroxyapatite. Graft copolymerization technique was used to alter the properties of the hybrid backbone using ammonium persulphate as an initiator and N,N'methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. The first step was to synthesize cross-linked semi-IPN of agar-gelatin blend which was converted to a cross-linked interpenetrating polymer. Semi-IPN and IPN showed 4786% and 4896% swelling, respectively. In the second step in situ synthesis of rod-shaped nano-hydroxyapatites was carried out. Ca/P ratio for hydroxyapatite formed was found to be 1.67 for semi-IPN and 1.63 for IPN with the particle size of 50-100 nm (length) and 6-15 nm (diameter). These results were than compared with the literature findings of synthesizing n-HA (nano-hydroxyapatite) without using templates and results were better for n-HA synthesized using templates. Thus, the use of semi-IPN and IPN for the controlled growth of rod-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite was a novel approach. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.