Characterization of the calcium phosphate porous ceramic obtained by foam consolidation using albumin

Abstract

In many in-vivo and in vitro studies, the behavior of calcium phosphate ceramics like β - tricalcium phosphate in biological environments has been reported to be predictive and positive. In terms of bone tissue growth, this ceramic can be more attractive presenting a porous microstructure. To obtain biomaterial quality ceramics, in this investigation β- TCP porous ceramics were prepared by a special consolidation method with albumin as a foam generating agent. This technique enables preparation a variety of formats with complex geometries. To obtain porous samples using albumin, heat had to be introduced into the system during the consolidation stage. After consolidation, the samples were sintered at 1250°C for 30 minutes and characterized using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The foams that were obtained by this method exhibited spherical and interconnected pores, characteristics desirable in biomedical implants.