Adhesion of carboxylate cements to hydroxyapatite. II. Adsorption of aromatic carboxylates.

An investigation was made into the effect of structure and functionality of aromatic carboxylates on their adsorption on to hydroxyapatite (HAP) with a view to identifying factors affecting the adhesion of polyacrylate cements to tooth materials. In general, the amount of carboxylate adsorbed was found to increase with the number of groups contained in the molecule. The arrangement of these groups around the benzene ring also affected adsorption. These results suggested that adsorption was the result of a cooperative effect between carboxylate groups. An adsorption isotherm for mellitate on to HAP was constructed.