Spectroscopic characterisation of hydroxyapatite and nanocrystalline apatite with grafted aminopropyltriethoxysilane: nature of silane–surface interaction

Heterogenised homogeneous catalysis is commonly performed with molecular catalysts grafted on solids via adsorption or via a covalent molecular link. Covalent grafting of organic groups on solid supports is usually carried out by silylation, using functionalised trialkoxysilanes. Among these solids supports, very few studies have been published on apatites. In the present work,aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) grafting was performed in toluene on different apatitic supports: crystallised stoichiometric hydroxyapatites differing by the drying method, freeze-dried (HAP) and dried at 100 °C (HAPD), and a nanocrystalline apatite. All materials were fully characterised, before and after grafting, for better understanding of the nature of the alkoxysilane/surface interaction. The data show a clear competition between the covalent grafting of APTES and its polycondensation reaction, depending on the nature of the solid support surface. Silylation is accompanied by APTES covalent grafting to oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of the apatitic structure and/or of the OH− species that are present on the surface hydrated layer. This work clarifies the nature of silane grafting onto selected apatitic surfaces and especially the influence of the composition and properties of the apatitic surfaces on the process of silylation.