Apatite Deposition on Organic-Inorganic Hybrids Synthesized from Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and Various Metal Oxides

Organic polymers with ability of apatite formation in body environment are expected as novel bone substitutes having not only bone-bonding ability, i.e. bioactivity, but also mechanical performance analogous to natural bone. Several metal oxides have been found to be effective for the apatite deposition in body environment. In addition, release of calcium ions from the materials significantly enhances it. In this study, we attempted to synthesize bioactive organic-inorganic hybrids from Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by incorporation of various metal oxides and calcium salt. Silica and molybdenum oxides were selected as metal oxides. Ability of apatite formation on the hybrids was examined in vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF, Kokubo solution). Apatite deposition were observed to occur on the surfaces of PVA/silica and PVA/molybdenum oxide hybrids in SBF, when their compositions were appropriately controlled.