Influence of synthesis conditions on the characteristics of biphasic calcium phosphate powders

Abstract

Mixtures of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) powders with different Ca/P ratios were prepared by a wet chemical precipitation synthesis of calcium-deficient hydroxy apatite (CDHA) and subsequent calcination. The influence of precipitation method and calcination temperature on the chemical and physical properties of the resulting powders were evaluated. Different ratios between HAp and TCP were obtained by variation of the velocity of orthophosphoric acid addition into calcium hydroxide suspension. Slow addition (1 mL/min, S-powder) of H3PO4 into Ca(OH)2 suspension lead to a higher amount of CO3 groups substituting PO4 in the apatite lattice compared to powders synthesized by fast addition (200 mL/min, F-powder). Consequently, the Ca/P molar ratio of S-powder (1.55) was higher than that of F-powder (1.52), leading to a higher amount of HAp in the resulting calcinated powders. Both powders show significant differences in their calcinations behavior. Whereas for F-powders a temperature of 750°C was adequate for a complete transformation of CDHA to TCP and HAp, 950°C were required for S-powders.