Self-assembly of nanohydroxyapatite in mesoporous silica.

A novel material hexagonal mesoporous silica-hydroxyapatite (HMS-HA) has been developed based on self-assembly of nanohydroxyapatite in mesoporous silica in situ. The structural and textural properties of the materials are, respectively, characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N(2) adsorption, thermogravimetic analysis, and high-resolution transmission electron spectroscopy (HRTEM). Variable crystallinity of HA involved in the mesopores yields from different sintering temperature, and correspondingly determines different degradation manners. This biocompatible new material hybridized nanoporosity to well acknowledge biofunctional scaffold (HA). It promises a high potential for application in drug and gene delivery.