Abstract:

Through W/O emulsion process and ion association method, Gelatin/β-tricalcium phosphate porous composite spheres were fabricated. The size of the composite spheres was controlled by adjusting the rate of stirring. From the SEM image, can it be seen that the size of the composite spheres was arranged from 5um to 30um, and the TCP embedded is about 200nm. When the amount of the TCP added to the composite is up to 0.4:1, a large quantities of petal-like crystal were formed on the surface of the composite spheres. It was assumed that shaped crystal was formed by TCP dissolved in the reactive solution and inductive recrystallization by gelatin molecule. IR and XRD spectrum showed these composite spheres containing the similar structure with the natural bone and the chemical bond existed between the gelatin and TCP. DSC-TGA image illustrated the 90% TCP was embedded inside the gelatin spheres through the emulsion process and strong interaction appeared between them.

Key words: gelatin, β-tricalcium phosphate, emulsion