Hydroxyapatite Formation on/in Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogel Matrices Using a Novel Alternate Soaking Process

Abstract A novel method of hydroxyapatite (HAp) formation on/in a three-dimensional hydrogel matrix was developed. This method is based on the widely-known wet synthesis of HAp and is alternate soaking process in CaCl2/Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) and Na2HPO4 aqueous solutions. Using a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gel as model matrix, PVA-HAp composites could be prepared and characterized.