Physicochemical Properties of Brushite and Hydroxyapatite Prepared in the Presence of Chitin and Chitosan

Abstract

We present the results of characterization of prepared composites comprising dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD, brushite) and hydroxyapatite in the polymeric matrix of chitin and chitosan. The crystallite sizes increase as the chitosan and chitin percentage in the composite increases. When samples are dissolved in isotonic saline, the degradation rate of brushite composites decreases as the chitosan and chitin percentage in the sample increases; for hydroxyapatite composites, an opposite trend is typical. The samples are shown to change their weight as a result of heat treatment.