A comparative study of functionalized nano-hydroxyapatite

In an attempt to obtain appropriate components for complex transfection systems hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) were synthesized by means of wet chemical precipitation method, under atmospheric pressure, in the absence or presence of different low-molecular or polymeric cationic dispersants, i.e. arginine, linear or branched polyethylenimine (LPEI, bPEI). The effect of added compounds´ type and concentration on nHAp characteristics (surface chemistry, size, morphology, crystallinity, dispersibility) was comparatively studied. The chemical composition and surface modification of the synthesized nano-HAp was investigated using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis, Zeta potential measurements (DLS-dynamic light scattering) and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The crystal morphology and particle size were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction technique (XRD). The DNA binding ability of the functionalized nHAp was tested by agarose gel electrophoresis assay.