Preparation and characterization of novel biphasic calcium phosphate powders (alpha-TCP/HA) derived from carbonated amorphous calcium phosphates.

Novel biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) powders composed of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) were prepared by thermal decomposition of carbonated amorphous calcium phosphates (CACP). At first, the CACP precipitates were synthesized by adding ammonium carbonate in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) at pH 10 with an initial Ca/P molar ratio of 1.60 at 5 degrees C. The Ca/P molar ratios of the CACP precursors are between 1.50 and 1.67 investigated by ICP. Then BCP (alpha-TCP/HA) powders were obtained after heating the CACP precursors at relatively low temperature (800 degrees C) for 3 h. alpha-TCP/HA powders were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, and sedimentation experiment. The results show that alpha-TCP and HA phases form in one powder, alpha-TCP/HA powders are sphere with the diameter of 300 nm to less than 100 nm varied with their chemical compositions and the ratio of alpha-TCP and HA in the powders can be adjusted by the adding amount of carbonates. The possible formation process of biphasic alpha-TCP/HA powders was proposed. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.