Synthesis of osteoconductive organic inorganic nanohybrids through modification of chitin with alkoxysilane and calcium chloride.

The so-called bioactive ceramics have been attractive because they spontaneously bond to living bone. Organic-inorganic hybrids consisting of organic polymers and the essential constituents of the bioactive ceramics, i.e., silanol (Si-OH) group and calcium ions (Ca(2+)), are useful as novel bone substitutes, owing to bioactivity and high flexibility. In the present study, organic-inorganic hybrids are synthesized from chitin by modification with glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS) and calcium chloride (CaCl(2)). Their apatite-forming ability is examined in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The prepared hybrids form apatite on their surfaces in SBF within 7 days.