Synthesis of chitin calcium phosphate composite in different growth media

Abstract This paper presents some results concerning chitin calcium phosphate composites obtained in different growth media. The synthesis of chitin calcium phosphate composite was carried out by phosphorylation, calcification, and soaking in different calcium phosphate growth media. This research is focused on studying and understanding the effect of using different growth media on composite samples. Hydroxyapatite was determined in the composite samples synthesized by using both simulated body fluid (SBF) and calcium phosphorus tris (Ca‐PTris) solution. Calcium/phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio of the composite synthesized by using SBF was found higher than that of composite synthesized by using Ca‐PTris solution as calcium phosphate growth media. The Ca:P ratio of the composite (1.72) immersed in 1.5× SBF for 35 day is similar to the theoretical value of hydroxyapatite (1.67) and closer to the theoretical value of human bone (1.75). POLYM. COMPOS., 29:84–91, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers