Iron doped β-Tricalcium phosphate: Synthesis, characterization, hyperthermia effect, biocompatibility and mechanical evaluation.

The ability of β-Tricalcium phosphate [β-TCP, β-Ca3(PO4)2] to host iron at its structural lattice and its associated magnetic susceptibility, hyperthermia effect, biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics is investigated. The studies revealed the ability of β-Ca3(PO4)2 to host 5.02mol% of Fe3+ at its Ca2+(5) site. Excess Fe3+ additions led to the formation of trigonal Ca9Fe(PO4)7 and moreover a minor amount of CaFe3(PO4)3O crystallization was also observed. A gradual increment in the iron content at β-Ca3(PO4)2 results in the simultaneous effect of pronounced hyperthermia effect and mechanical stability. However, the presence of CaFe3(PO4)3O contributes for the reduced hyperthermia effect and mechanical stability of iron substituted β-Ca3(PO4)2. Haemolytic tests, cytotoxicity tests and ALP gene expression analysis confirmed the biocompatibility of the investigated systems.