MicroRaman spectral study of the PO4 and CO3 vibrational modes in synthetic and biological apatites.

The carbonate and phosphate vibrational modes of different synthetic and biological carbonated apatites were investigated by Raman microspectroscopy, and compared with those of hydroxyapatite. The nu1 phosphate band at 960 cm-1 shifts slightly due to carbonate substitution in both A and B sites. The spectrum of type A carbonated apatite exhibits two nu1 PO43- bands at 947 and 957 cm-1. No significant change was observed in the nu2 and nu4 phosphate mode regions in any carbonated samples. The nu3 PO43- region seems to be more affected by carbonation: two main bands were observed, as in the hydroxyapatite spectrum, but at lower wave numbers. The phosphate spectra of all biominerals apatite were consistent with type AB carbonated apatite. In the enamel spectrum, bands were observed at 3513 and at 3573 cm-1 presumably due to two different hydroxyl environments. Two different bands due to the carbonate nu1 mode were identified depending on the carbonate substitution site A or B, at 1107 and 1070 cm-1, respectively. Our results, compared with the infrared data already reported, suggest that even low levels of carbonate substitution induce modifications of the hydroxyapatite spectrum. Increasing substitution ratios, however, do not bring about any further alteration. The spectra of dentine and bone showed a strong similarity at a micrometric level. This study demonstrates the existence of acidic phosphate, observable by Raman microspectrometry, in mature biominerals. The HPO42- and CO32- contents increase from enamel to dentine and bone, however, these two phenomena do not seem to be correlated.