Effect of polymerization degree of calcium polyphosphate on its microstructure and in vitro degradation performance

Preparation, characterization and in vitro study of a series of calcium polyphosphate (CPP) with different polymerization degree were reported. A series of CPP with different polymerization degree were prepared by controlling calcining time. Average polymerization degree was analyzed by liquid state 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The microstructure was observed by scanning electric microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to demonstrate that polymerization degree would not affect the crystal system and space group of CPP. The results showed that polymerization degree increased with the increase of calcining time. Degradation studies were performed during 32 days in physiological saline solution (aqueous solution, 0.9 wt.%NaCl) to assess the effect of polymerization degree on the degradation velocity of the samples. It was also shown that the degradation velocity of CPP (polymerization degree=13) doubles than another two samples (polymerization degree=9,19). The results in the present study may be able to provide some fundamental data for controlling CPP degradation.