Pore size analysis of fallow deer (Dama dama) antler bone

Deer antler is of interest to material scientists because it represents bone which can withstand applied stresses of over 300 MPa. In this work we demonstrate the presence of nanopores in this material by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gas adsorption and mercury intrusion experiments. It is also shown that organic material in the antler influences observed pore sizes. Different modal groups of pores were observed when organic lipid material was removed from the sample and the sample saturated with water. The dominant organic phase associated with the small pores is protein.