Intergrowth and interfacial structure of biomimetic fluorapatite-gelatin nanocomposite: a solid-state NMR study

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Jan 23;118(3):724-30. doi: 10.1021/jp410299x. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Abstract

The model system fluorapatite-gelatin allows mimicking the formation conditions on a lower level of complexity compared to natural dental and bone tissues. Here, we report on solid-state NMR investigations to examine the structure of fluorapatite-gelatin nanocomposites on a molecular level with particular focus on organic-inorganic interactions. Using (31)P, (19)F, and (1)H MAS NMR and heteronuclear correlations, we found the nanocomposite to consist of crystalline apatite-like regions (fluorapatite and hydroxyfluorapatite) in close contact with a more dissolved (amorphous) layer containing first motifs of the apatite crystal structure as well as the organic component. A scheme of the intergrowth region in the fluorapatite-gelatin nanocomposite, where mineral domains interact with organic matrix, is presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apatites / chemistry*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Gelatin / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*

Substances

  • Apatites
  • Gelatin
  • fluorapatite