We
successfully synthesized folic acid (FA) immobilized hydroxyapatite
(HA) nanoparticles without using a mediative reagent (e.g., silane
coupling agent), and the immobilization states were evaluated and
discussed. The HA nanoparticles with higher biocompatibility have
two different planes, namely, c- and m-planes. These plane surfaces are rich in phosphate groups (P-site)
and Ca2+ ions (C-site), respectively. We suggested that
during the synthesis of the HA nanoparticles, the P-site substitution
and C-site coordination with the addition of organic molecules containing
-COO– ions can occur. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously
immobilize two molecules to one HA nanoparticle. In this study, we
successfully synthesized FA-immobilized HA nanoparticles by P-site
substitution and C-site coordination reactions, which were named as
substitution type and coordination type. In the substitution type,
when FA was reacted with HA during the nucleation stage, the PO4
3– ions of HA decreased as the FA ratio
of coverage surface area increased, and the crystalline phase was
changed significantly from the Ca deficient HA to the carbonated HA
phase. Accordingly, it was indicated that FA was immobilized on HA
by the P-site substitution. In the coordination type, since FA was
reacted with HA after the completion of crystal growth, the crystalline
phase was changed slightly as the FA ratio of coverage surface area
increased, indicating that FA was immobilized on HA by the C-site
coordination. From the above, we controlled the FA immobilization
states on the HA nanoparticles by the P-site substitution and the
C-site coordination through the FA addition timing in the synthesis.
Since the -COO– ions in FA could be selectively
substituted with the P-site in HA, it is possible to directly coordinate
the foreign organic molecules to the Ca2+ ions in HA. Therefore,
the immobilization technique of this study is expected to achieve
two different drug molecules with diagnosis and therapy functions
(i.e., theranostics) on one nanoparticle.