2008 Volume 13 Issue 4 Pages 283-286
Coating of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on the surfaces of organic polymer substrates through a biomimetic process was attempted to fabricate a novel adsorbent of harmful volatile organic compounds, and its ability of the adsorption of formaldehyde was evaluated. The surfaces of organic polymer substrates were successfully coated with biomimetic HAp layer, when they contained carboxyl groups in their structure after exposure to a simulated body environment. Putting the biomimetic HAp coated on the organic polymer in formaldehyde atmosphere resulted in a significant decrement in the concentration of formaldehyde, in comparison with the calcined HAp or the activated carbon. This phenomenon may be attributed to the achievement of high specific surface area and low crystallinity of the biomimetic HAp. Such a material can be a candidate for an efficient adsorbent to remove formaldehyde and its related harmful gases.
