Natural and artificial chitosan-inorganic composites.

Taking inspiration from many chitin-inorganic composites in nature, a number of recent articles throw light on the manufacture of such composites based on calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and silica. These novel materials are important in the field of blood-compatible materials, bone substitutes, and cements for bone repair and reconstruction. This approach provides an attractive alternative to the processing of inorganic thin films, especially in applications where substrates cannot be exposed to high temperatures.