Control of calcium phosphate precipitation in hydrogel

Electrophoresis can transport ions more rapidly and directionally in a gel. The controlled precipitation of calcium phosphates in an agarose gel was attempted by electrophoresis of calcium and phosphate ions. Wells were prepared on an agarose gel. A CaCl2 solution was placed in wells on the positive side and a Na2HPO4 solution in wells on the negative side. A potential of 100 V was then applied. White precipitates appeared in the gel after 11 min. The white area initially became larger and more intense with increasing time. However, after longer periods, the white area decreased and became weaker, before disappearing after 45 min. Spinous precipitates with a diameter of about 500 nm were obtained when the gels were collected after 20 min. The precipitates were characterized as particles of calcium phosphate.