Abstract

APATITE NUCLEATION OF DENSE AND POROUS CHITIN MEMBRANES

Leandro Medeiros Motta, *Gláucio Diré Feliciano and Cristina Tristão de Andrad

Abstract

The formation of apatite (CHA) from a synthetic body fluid was induced by the presence of dense and porous chitin membranes. Infrared spectra and thermograms obtained for chitin alone and for the composite biomaterials were compared and indicated the deposition of CHA. Scanning electron micrographs showed the formation of spherical crystals of CHA on the surfaces of both membranes. Images obtained for the cross- sections ceramic material with apparently lower crystallinity was observed for dense membranes.

Keywords: apatite nucleation, dense and porous membranes, chitin, crystallinity.