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Nanosized magnetite (Fe3O4) particles showing superparamagnetism at room temperature have been prepared by controlled coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in presence of highly hydrophilic poly(vinylalcohol phosphate)(PVAP). The impact of polymer concentration on particle size, size distribution, colloidal stability, and magnetic property has been extensively studied. The aqueous suspension of magnetite, prepared using 1% PVAP solution is stable for four weeks at pH 5-8. X-ray diffractograms show the formation of nanocrystalline inverse spinel phase magnetite. Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed well dispersed cubic magnetite particles of size of about 5.8 nm. Dynamic Light Scattering measurement shows narrow distribution of hydrodynamic size of particle aggregates. Infrared spectra of samples show strong Fe--O--P bond on the oxide surface. UV-visible studies show aqueous dispersion of magnetite formed by using 1% PVAP solution is stable at least for four weeks without any detoriation of particle size. Magnetization measurements at room temperature show superparamagnetic nature of polymer coated magnetite nanoparticles.

A novel bioanalogue hydroxyapatite (HAp)/chitosan phosphate (CSP) nanocomposite has been synthesized by a solution-based chemical methodology with varying HAp contents from 10 to 60% (w/w). The interfacial bonding interaction between HAp and CSP has been investigated through Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology of the composite and the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix have been investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The mechanical properties of the composite are found to be improved significantly with increase in nanoparticle contents. Cytotoxicity test using murine L929 fibroblast confirms that the nanocomposite is cytocompatible. Primary murine osteoblast cell culture study proves that the nanocomposite is osteocompatible and highly in vitro osteogenic. The use of CSP promotes the homogeneous distribution of particles in the polymer matrix through its pendant phosphate groups along with particle-polymer interfacial interactions. The prepared HAp/CSP nanocomposite with uniform microstructure may be used in bone tissue engineering applications.

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A successful synthesis of mesostructured hydroxyapatite (HAp) using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and poly(amido amine) dendrimer porogens has been reported. A comparative study of physicochemical properties has also been performed. The formation of a single-phase hydroxyapatite crystal in synthesized HAp particles with an aspect ratio of 2.3 was revealed. The formation of the mesostructural nature of HAp was proven with a specific surface area (56-63 m(2)/g) and a certain pore size (4.7-5.5 nm), although there were significant differences between particles from surfactant micelle and dendrimer porogens. In addition, the surface modification of mesoporous HAp particles was carried out using poly(amido amine) dendrimer. The content and thickness of the dendrimer coating on particle surfaces were highly dependent on the pH. At pH 9 or greater, the coating thickness corresponded to at least a double layer of dendrimer, but it decreased sharply with decreasing pH from 9 to 6, in agreement with the protonation of amine groups in the dendrimer, indicating the strong interaction of nonionic dendrimer with HAp. The developed dendrimer-functionalized mesoporous hydroxyapatite materials may be applicable in biocomposite material and/or bone tissue engineering.

A hydroxyapatite (HAp)/poly(vinyl alcohol phosphate) (PVAP) nanocomposite has been prepared by a chemical method by varying the HAp content by 10-60% (w/w). The bonding between HAp and PVAP has been investigated through Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses. Transmission electron microscopy study shows a homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy study shows enhancement of the surface roughness of the composite with an increase in the nanoparticle content. The mechanical properties of the composites improve significantly with an increase in the HAp content. The HAp/PVAP nanocomposite prepared may have bone-implant applications.

A hydroxyapatite/poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (HAp/EAA) nanocomposite has been synthesized by a solution-based method. p-Aminophenyl phosphonic acid has been used as a coupling agent in order to enhance the bonding between HAp and EAA, and hence to improve the mechanical properties of the composite. XRD study has indicated the development of compressive and tensile stresses in a nanocomposite due to thermal expansion mismatch between nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp) and EAA. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and thermal analysis have shown the presence of strong interfacial bonding between n-HAp and EAA. The surface roughness and the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles have been observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). A comparison of mechanical properties between phosphonic acid treated (cn-HAp/EAA) and untreated (un-HAp/EAA) nanocomposites has been made. The use of a phosphonic acid coupling agent promotes the uniform dispersion of n-HAp in the polymer matrix with a strong nanoparticle-polymer interfacial bonding, which provides a means of preparing a HAp/polymer nanocomposite for implant applications. P. Brown-contributing editor