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Synthesis and characterization of ionic block copolymer templated calcium phosphate nanocomposites
Chemistry of Materials
  • Mathumai Kanapathipillai, Ames Laboratory
  • Yusuf Yusufoglu, Iowa State University
  • A. Rawal, Iowa State University
  • Y.-Y. Hu, Ames Laboratory
  • C.-T. Lo, Argonne National Laboratory
  • Papannan Thiyagarajan, Argonne National Laboratory
  • Y. E. Kalay, Iowa State University
  • Mufit Akinc, Iowa State University
  • Surya K. Mallapragada, Iowa State University
  • Klaus Schmidt-Rohr, Ames Laboratory
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2008
DOI
10.1021/cm703441n
Abstract

Self-assembling thermo-reversibly gelling anionic and zwitterionic pentablock copolymers were used as templates for precipitation of calcium phosphate nanostructures, controlling their size and ordered structural arrangement. Calcium and phosphate ions were dissolved in a block-copolymer micellar dispersion at low temperatures. Aging at ambient temperature produced inorganic nanoparticles, presumably nucleated by ionic interactions. The self-assembled nanocomposites were characterized by small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). 1H-31P NMR with 1H spin diffusion from polymer to phosphate proved the formation of nanocomposites, with inorganic particle sizes from ∼2 nm, characterized by 1H-31P dipolar couplings, to > 100 nm. TEM analysis showed polymer micelles surrounded by calcium phosphate. SAXS attested that a significant fraction of the calcium phosphate was templated by the polymer micelles. SANS data indicated that the order of the polymer was enhanced by the inorganic phase. The nanocomposite gels exhibited higher moduli than the neat polymer gels. The calcium phosphate was characterized by TGA, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution TEM, and various NMR techniques. An unusual crystalline phase with >2 chemically and >3 magnetically inequivalent HPO4 2- ions was observed with the zwitterionic copolymer, highlighting the influence of the polymer on the calcium phosphate crystallization. The inorganic fraction of the nanocomposite was around 30 wt % of the dried hydrogel. Thus, a significant fraction of calcium phosphate has been templated by the tailored self-assembling ionic block copolymers, providing a bottom-up approach to nanocomposite synthesis.

Comments

Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Chemistry of Materials, 20 (2008), pp. 5922-5932. doi: 10.1021/cm703441n. Copyright 2008 American Chemical Society.

Copyright Owner
American Chemical Society
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Mathumai Kanapathipillai, Yusuf Yusufoglu, A. Rawal, Y.-Y. Hu, et al.. "Synthesis and characterization of ionic block copolymer templated calcium phosphate nanocomposites" Chemistry of Materials Vol. 20 Iss. 18 (2008) p. 5922 - 5932
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mallapragada_surya_k/42/