Hierarchical Hybrid Nanostructures Research Articles

Nanogel‐Templated Mineralization: Polymer‐Calcium Phosphate Hybrid Nanomaterials

AbstractSummary: We report novel organic‐inorganic hybrid nanomaterials that consist of polymer hydrogel nanoparticles (nanogels) and calcium phosphate. Hybrid nanoparticles that measure ca. 40 nm are synthesized from a dilute solution of hydroxyapatite using nanogels as templates for calcium phosphate mineralization. These nanoparticles show a narrow size distribution and high colloidal stability. Nanogel‐adsorbed liposomes act as templates for hierarchical hybrid nanostructures. These nanohybrids can potentially be used as biocompatible drug carriers with controlled‐release properties.TEM images of calcium phosphate nanoparticles formed in the presence of CHP nanogels (0.5 mg · mL−1) (left) and nanogel‐liposomes (CHP 0.05 mg · mL−1, DPPC 0.08 mg · mL−1)(right).magnified imageTEM images of calcium phosphate nanoparticles formed in the presence of CHP nanogels (0.5 mg · mL−1) (left) and nanogel‐liposomes (CHP 0.05 mg · mL−1, DPPC 0.08 mg · mL−1)(right).