Morphology and microstructure of electrochemically deposited calcium phosphates in a modified simulated body fluid.

Calcium phosphates were deposited on a pure titanium plate for various loading times under 1.3 and 12.9 mA/cm2 in a modified simulated body fluid at 52-92 degrees C. The plate-like crystals formed under 1.3 mA/cm2 were identified to be octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and/or carbonate-containing apatite. OCP converted to carbonate-containing apatite with the elapsing time of the loading current. The needle-like precipitates formed under 12.9 mA/cm2 were identified to be carbonate-containing apatite crystals elongated parallel to the c-axis direction. The degrees of crystallinity of the deposits formed under 1.3 mA/cm2 showed the highest value around 72 degrees C, whereas those under 12.9 mA/cm2 increased with the electrolyte temperature. The carbonate content of the deposits decreased with the electrolyte temperature and the flow current. The degree of crystallinity of the electrochemically deposited calcium phosphates decreased with the carbonate content.