Resumen
The synthesis of a ceramic macroporous hydroxyapatite foam covered by two types of biopolymers is described, which allows capturing and immobilizing heavy metal ions. The foam is designed to be flexible, and thus make the journey through the digestive tract and perform different actions in its path. It is able to trap ions in acidic media (ph equal to that of the stomach) at body temperature and for periods equal to and greater than that of digestion, preventing them from reaching the blood. Once the heavy metal ions have been replaced in the crystal lattice, the foam in its original form and without apparent degradation also resists the simulated process of passage through the intestinal tract at basic ph without exchanging the ions with the medium and can be expelled by faecal route. In the same way, said foams could be used to treat contaminated water. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)