Bioinspired enamel-like oriented minerals on general surfaces: towards improved mechanical properties

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Human enamel, the body's hardest tissue, derives its strength from highly oriented hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystallites.
• Fabricating enamel-like HAp structures on general substrates under mild conditions presents a significant challenge.
• Biomimetic approaches are crucial for replicating natural material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for fabricating well-oriented HAp crystals on universal surfaces.
• To mimic the structure and mechanical properties of natural tooth enamel.
• To explore potential applications in dental repair and biomineralization.

Main Methods:

• A biomimetic, anodic alumina oxide (AAO)-assisted, double-layered gel system was employed.
• One-directional ion flow was modulated for mineralization using synergistic effects of the gel and AAO membrane.
• Polydopamine was introduced as a nucleating agent for substrate versatility.

Main Results:

• Highly oriented HAp crystallites with an enamel-like structure were successfully fabricated.
• The as-prepared minerals exhibited an elastic modulus of 52 GPa and nanohardness of 0.73 GPa.
• The method demonstrated applicability to a wide range of substrates.

Conclusions:

• The developed biomimetic strategy effectively produces enamel-like HAp crystals with excellent mechanical properties.
• This technique offers a promising approach for dental repair and biomaterial development.
• The study provides valuable insights for the controlled mineralization of inorganic materials.