| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a versatile isotropic hydroxyapatite / gelatin composite material comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a suspension of powdered hydroxyapatite in a liquid medium selected from the group consisting of a CC alcohol, in particular ethanol , another water-miscible dispersant, water, and mixtures thereof, is selected; b) adding an aqueous solution of gelatin, preferably in a concentration of 5 to 25% by weight gelatin, to the suspension; c) stirring the mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, preferably in a range of 1 to 10 hours, until partial or complete evaporation of the liquid medium; d) optionally drying the product obtained in step c). In a more specific embodiment, the process is characterized in that the product obtained in step c) or d) is further infiltrated with at least one aliphatic polyether in an additional step e1) In another specific embodiment, the process is characterized in that the product obtained in step c), d) or e1) is further contacted in a step e2) with at least one means for crosslinking the gelatin chains. Another aspect of the invention relates to the above composite material produced and its use, in particular as artificial ivory. |