Biomimetic synthesis of a novel HA/corncob composite

To mimic the unique hierarchical structures of natural bone tissue, a novel hydroxyapatite (HA) composite coming from cormcob was synthesized by biomimetic method. Corncob, a natural porous material, was modified by phosphorylation with NaOH-H3PO4 methods. Subsequently, the phosphorylated samples were immersed in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution to be pre-calcified for 4 days, and then in a simulated body fluid (SBF) to be mineralized for 21 days. The results showed that bone-like apatite crystals formed both on the surface and inside the pores of the phosphorylated corncob. The apatite-corncob composite characterized with a hierarchical structure, and it is expected to be useful as a natural porous bioactive bone-repairing material.