Soluble, self-assembling collagens derived from tissues are extensively characterized such that one can predict and customize the final collagen-
fibril matrix with respect to
fibril microstructure (i.e.,
fibril density, interfibril branching),
viscoelasticity and proteolytic degradability. As shown herein these matrices template and direct the deposition of
mesoporous silica at the level of individual collagen fibrils. The fibril density,
silicic acid concentration, and time of
exposure to silicifying solution were varied and the resulting
hybrid materials were analyzed by scanning
electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-
ray spectroscopy, and
rheology. Microstructural properties of the collagen-fibril template are preserved in the silica surface of
hybrid materials. Results for three different
collagen fibril densities, corresponding to shear storage moduli of 200 Pa, 1000 Pa, and 1600 Pa, indicate that increased fibril density increases the
absolute amount of templated silica when all other silica synthesis conditions are kept constant. The mechanical properties of the
hybrid material are dominated by the presence of the
silica coating rather than the starting collagen matrix stiffness.