Calcium phosphate cement reinforced by polypeptide copolymers.

Water-based calcium phosphate with bone repairing capability was reinforced by polypeptide graft copolymers and micelles that were formed by polypeptide copolymers. The mechanical studies showed that the compression strength and fracture energy of the calcium phosphate cement (CPC)/polypeptide composites are appreciably higher than those of CPC. The molecular structure of the polypeptide graft copolymers and the association form of the polypeptide copolymers exhibit a marked effect on the mechanical properties of CPC/polypeptide composites. The polypeptide copolymers with more hydrophilic side chains and with core-shell micelle forms have more effective reinforcement effect. The morphological studies based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations revealed that both polypeptide graft copolymers and polypeptide copolymer micelles are well dispersed in CPC matrix. According to the obtained experimental results, reinforcement mechanism was suggested. Copyright 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.