Effect of Redundant Chain Packing on the Uptake of Calcium Phosphate in Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Hydrogels

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Contents Vol 60(6)

doi:10.1071/CH07111

Effect of Redundant Chain Packing on the Uptake of Calcium Phosphate in Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Hydrogels

Traian V. Chirila ^A ^B ^C ^G, Anita J. Hill ^D ^E, David T. Richens ^F

^A Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia.
^B School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
^C Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
^D CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology, Private Bag 33, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
^E School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
^F School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, Scotland, UK.
^G Corresponding author. Email: traian.chirila@qei.org.au





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Australian Journal of Chemistry 60(6) 439–443 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/CH07111
Submitted: 12 January 2007 Accepted: 2 May 2007 Published online: 18 June 2007

Abstract

A method is described that allows reduction of the amount of calcium phosphate phases deposited spontaneously inside poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), a hydrogel of biomedical importance. PHEMA homo-interpenetrating polymer networks (homo-IPNs) were synthesized and then treated in a calcifying solution. A reduction of calcium uptake of 58 to 75% was measured by ICP emission spectroscopy in the IPNs as compared to the PHEMA homopolymer (the parent network). The effect was rationalized in terms of reduction of the free volume available for the penetration and transport of Ca²⁺ and phosphate ions as a result of redundant chain packing through formation of IPNs.