The present invention provides inorganic-organic nanocomposite coatings
for implant materials and methods for the production thereof. The
coatings consist of a sequentially adsorbed polyelectrolyte film (SAPF)
intergrown with calcium phosphate crystals. The substrate is selected
from glass, polymer, metal or metal alloys. The SAPFs consist of
successions of positively and negatively charged monolayers, comprising
biocompatible polyelectrolytes, preferably polyaminoacids. The calcium
phosphate crystals may comprise octacalcium phosphate, calcium deficient
apatites, carbonate apatites, hydroxyapatite, or mixtures thereof, with
particle sizes 50 nm to 2 .mu.m. The inorganic phase is grown "in situ"
within the polyelectrolyte organic matrix.