Sintered hydroxyfluorapatites. Part II: Mechanical properties of solid solutions determined by microindentation

Development of HAp/GO/Ag coating on 316 LVM implant for medical applications

In this study, antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance of 316 LVM implants were improved using the development of HAp/GO/Ag nanocomposite coatings by the dip-coating method. The XRD and FTIR results confirmed the synthesis of HAp/GO/Ag nanocomposites. HAp/Ag nanoparticles (68 nm) bound to epoxy, hydroxyl, and carboxyl functional groups on GO sheets (size of GO sheets varies from 255 to 1480 nm) by electrostatic interaction. FESEM images showed that HAp/GO/Ag coatings had higher density and fewer micro-cracks than pure HAp coatings. In addition, HAp/GO/Ag coatings showed optimized nano-hardness (4.5 GPa) and elasticity modulus (123 GPa). The results of potentiodynamic polarization demonstrated that HAp/GO/Ag coating has the lowest corrosion current density (0.31 μA/cm²), maximum protection efficiency (90.0%), and lowest release of Fe, Cr, and Ni ions (31, 24, and 15 ppb). In addition, EIS results showed that HAp/GO/Ag coatings could prevent electrolyte access to the substrate and provide high bio-corrosion resistance. A bone-like layer is formed on nanocomposite coatings after 28 days in SBF, proving that Ag and GO's addition does not interfere with the mineralization process. After 28 days of immersion in SBF, the lowest release of Fe, Cr, and Ni ions is related to nanocomposite coatings. Also, the release of Ag⁺ ions from the coatings is between 0.13 and 1.41, providing antibacterial activity without cytotoxicity. HAp/GO, HAp/Ag, and HAp/GO/Ag nanocomposites kill 47%, 92%, and 98% of E. coli bacteria, respectively. HAp/GO, HAp/Ag, and HAp/GO/Ag nanocomposites kill 47%, 92%, and 98% of E. coli bacteria, respectively. The cell culture results showed that human MG-63 osteoblast-like cells in contact with HAp/GO/Ag coating had the highest biocompatibility (98% of cells survived). Therefore, the development of HAp/GO/Ag nanocomposite coating on 316 LVM implant shows improved properties of nano hardness, corrosion resistance, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility properties, which is a new turning point for nanocomposite coatings for medical applications.

Solid-State NMR and Raman Spectroscopic Investigation of Fluoride-Substituted Apatites Obtained in Various Thermal Conditions

Fluoride-substituted apatites were synthesized by the standard sol-gel method and then calcined at three different temperatures: 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C. Using a similar method, hydroxyapatite was synthesized and used as a reference material. The obtained powders were characterized by physicochemical methods: powder X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. All these methods allowed to identify additional α-TCP phase (tricalcium phosphate) in the HAP samples heated at 1000 °C and 1200 °C while fluoridated apatites turned out to be thermally stable. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy and NMR allowed to establish that the powders substituted with fluoride ions are not pure fluorapatite and contain OH- groups in the crystal structure. All the obtained materials had crystals with a shape similar to that of biological apatite.

Structure and mineralization of the spearing mantis shrimp (Stomatopoda; Lysiosquillina maculata) body and spike cuticles

Stomatopoda is a crustacean order including sophisticated predators called spearing and smashing mantis shrimps that are separated from the well-studied Eumalacotraca since the Devonian. The spearing mantis shrimp has developed a spiky dactyl capable of impaling fishes or crustaceans in a fraction of second. In this high velocity hunting technique, the spikes undergo an intense mechanical constraint to which their exoskeleton (or cuticle) has to be adapted. To better understand the spike cuticle internal architecture and composition, electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis and Raman spectroscopy were used on the spikes of 7 individuals (collected in French Polynesia and Indonesia), but also on parts of the body cuticle that have less mechanical stress to bear. In the body cuticle, several specificities linked to the group were found, allowing to determine the basic structure from which the spike cuticle has evolved. Results also highlighted that the body cuticle of mantis shrimps could be a model close to the ancestral arthropod cuticle by the aspect of its biological layers (epi- and procuticle including exo- and endocuticle) as well as by the Ca-carbonate/phosphate mineral content of these layers. In contrast, the spike cuticle exhibits a deeply modified organization in four functional regions overprinted on the biological layers. Each of them has specific fibre arrangement or mineral content (fluorapatite, ACP or phosphate-rich Ca-carbonate) and is thought to assume specific mechanical roles, conferring appropriate properties on the entire spike. These results agree with an evolution of smashing mantis shrimps from primitive stabbing/spearing shrimps, and thus also allowed a better understanding of the structural modifications described in previous studies on the dactyl club of smashing mantis shrimps.

La3+ and F- dual-doped multifunctional hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization

Hydroxyapatite (HA) co-doped with La³⁺ and F^- ions were synthesized by the precipitation method and sintered at 1,100°C for 1 hr. Samples were characterized by the standard experimental methods including the density, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to investigate their microstructure, phase formation, and bonding characteristics in detail. Moreover, the materials produced were identified using the microhardness tests. It was observed that in the most of materials, the hydroxyapatite was found to be the main phase with a minor amount of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Furthermore, the presence of fluoride and small amount of β-TCP was verified with all the characteristic FTIR bands of hydroxyapatite for the majority of samples studied. The result in SEM evaluation is that the produced HA powders have less deformed, uniformly distributed, and regularly shaped particles. Here, the material density has changed towards a less dense state with the increasing rate of La doping, but statistically significant difference was not obtained (p, .1942 > .05) with increase of the F doping. A significant difference was obtained the microhardness values between La³⁺ and F^- ions co-doped HA materials and pure HA (p [.0053] < .05). Accordingly, this study confirmed that since the La³⁺ and F^- ions can potentially increase the efficacy of HA. According to the spectral, mechanical, and microstructure analysis result, this material can be as a good candidate product for use as an occluding material for dental application.

Fracture toughness of the stomatopod dactyl club is enhanced by plastic dissipation: A fracture micromechanics study

The dactyl club of stomatopods is a biological hammer used to strike on hard-shell preys. To serve its function, the club must be imparted with a high tolerance against both contact stresses and fracture. While the contact mechanics of the club has been established, fracture toughness characterization has so far remained more elusive and semi-quantitative using nanoindentation fracture methods. Here, we used microcantilever fracture specimens with a chevron-notched crack geometry to quantitatively evaluate the fracture response of the impact region of dactyl clubs. The chevron-notched geometry was selected as it minimizes surface-related artefacts due to ion milling, and further allows to carry out fracture tests on samples free of pre-cracks with stable crack propagation even for brittle materials. Both linear elastic as well as elastic-plastic fracture mechanics methods, together with finite element modelling, were employed to analyse the fracture data. We find that crack-tip plastic dissipation is the main mechanism contributing to the fracture properties of the dactyl club material. Our study also suggests that the chevron-notched crack geometry is a suitable method to quantitatively assess the fracture toughness of hard biological materials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Characterizing the fracture resistance of biomineralized structures is essential to draw their structure-properties relationships. Yet measuring the fracture properties of such materials is often hampered by their small size and irregular shape. Indentation fracture is used to circumvent these issues but does not discriminate between the elastic and elastic-plastic contributions to the fracture resistance. The dactyl club "hammer" of mantis shrimps is a biological material whose fracture properties are central to its function. A microfracture study was conducted using microcantilever specimens with chevron-notched crack geometry to assess the fracture toughness. Adopting linear elastic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics protocols, we find that plastic dissipation is the major contribution to the fracture response of the hypermineralized impact region of the dactyl club.

Beyond dissolution: Xerostomia rinses affect composition and structure of biomimetic dental mineral in vitro

Xerostomia, known as dry mouth, is caused by decreased salivary flow. Treatment with lubricating oral rinses provides temporary relief of dry mouth discomfort; however, it remains unclear how their composition affects mineralized dental tissues. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the effects of common components in xerostomia oral rinses on biomimetic apatite with varying carbonate contents. Carbonated apatite was synthesized and exposed to one of the following solutions for 72 hours at varying pHs: water-based, phosphorus-containing (PBS), mucin-like containing (MLC), or fluoride-containing (FC) solutions. Post-exposure results indicated that apatite mass decreased irrespective of pH and solution composition, while solution buffering was pH dependent. Raman and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the addition of phosphorus, mucin-like molecules, and fluoride in solution decreases mineral carbonate levels and changed the lattice spacing and crystallinity of bioapatite, indicative of dissolution/recrystallization processes. The mineral recrystallized into a less-carbonated apatite in the PBS and MLC solutions, and into fluorapatite in FC. Tap water did not affect the apatite lattice structure suggesting formation of a labile carbonate surface layer on apatite. These results reveal that solution composition can have varied and complex effects on dental mineral beyond dissolution, which can have long term consequences on mineral solubility and mechanics. Therefore, clinicians should consider these factors when advising treatments for xerostomia patients.

Development of Novel Poly (ɛ-Caprolactone)/ Fluorine Substituted Hydroxyapatite Bilayer Coated 316L Ss for <i>In Vitro</i> Corrosion Protection

A novel biocompatible fluorine substituted hydroxyapatite (F-HAp) / poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) bilayer coating on 316L SS with superior adhesion strength and admirable corrosion protection properties. PCL slurry was coated on 316L SS as a first layer using dip coating method followed by F-HAp coating as the second layer using electrodeposition method. The structural and functional group analysis of bilayer coatings were characterized by different analytical technique. Also, the mechanical properties of the bilayer coating showed higher adhesion strength than HAp and F-HAp coatings on 316L SS. The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that the admirable corrosion protection nature. The in vitro bioactivity test for coated 316L SS substrate was carried out by soaking it in the SBF solution, the induced apatite formation confirming the improved bioactivity of the specimen. Further, dissolution of metal ions was considerably reduced which was confirmed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The in vitro cell–material interaction of the bilayer coating was studied with human osteosarcoma MG63 cells for cell viability at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days of incubation and good biocompatibility was observed. The obtained results show that the F-HAp/PCL bilayer coating provides effective corrosion protection and enhanced bioactivity.

Assessment of the Addition of Fluorapatite–Alumina Coating for a Durable Adhesion of the Interface Prosthesis/Bone Cells: Implementation In Vivo

Purpose

Fluorapatite (Fap), an alumina (Al2O3) known for its excellent bio-inertia, can significantly increase the biocompatibility and bioactivity of biomaterials. This study is an investigation of the interface bone/Al2O3–Fap composite coatings implanted in the tibia of the rabbit.

Methods

Two techniques T1 and T2 were implemented on four rabbits, R1–R4 to assess the effect of the alumina (Al2O3)–Fap [Ca10(PO4)6F2] composite, coating for 316L stainless steel, on bone contact. The fluorapatite powder was synthesized using a wet-chemical method. The biocompatibility and the bioactivity of the Al2O3–Fap composite were evaluated by in vitro/in vivo tests. The characteristics of the bone/implant interface were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, radiology and 3D scanner.

Results

The results showed that T2 was more effective than T1, with a good contact between the implant/bone on the radiographs performed after 28 days. Implants coated with alumina did not show any integration signs with bone tissue. The addition of Fap to alumina coating would increase the adhesion of prosthesis on bone cells and guarantee a stable implantation.

Conclusion

Al2O3–Fap coating showed excellent behavior in vitro and in vivo tests revealing that the Fap is effective in improving biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Hydroxyapatite and Fluorapatite in Conservative Dentistry and Oral Implantology-A Review

Calcium phosphate, due to its similarity to the inorganic fraction of mineralized tissues, has played a key role in many areas of medicine, in particular, regenerative medicine and orthopedics. It has also found application in conservative dentistry and dental surgery, in particular, as components of toothpaste and mouth rinse, coatings of dental implants, cements, and bone substitute materials for the restoration of cavities in maxillofacial surgery. In dental applications, the most important role is played by hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite, i.e., calcium phosphates characterized by the highest chemical stability and very low solubility. This paper presents the role of both apatites in dentistry and a review of recent achievements in the field of the application of these materials.

Parrotfish Teeth: Stiff Biominerals Whose Microstructure Makes Them Tough and Abrasion-Resistant To Bite Stony Corals

Parrotfish (Scaridae) feed by biting stony corals. To investigate how their teeth endure the associated contact stresses, we examine the chemical composition, nano- and microscale structure, and the mechanical properties of the steephead parrotfish Chlorurus microrhinos tooth. Its enameloid is a fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F) biomineral with outstanding mechanical characteristics: the mean elastic modulus is 124 GPa, and the mean hardness near the biting surface is 7.3 GPa, making this one of the stiffest and hardest biominerals measured; the mean indentation yield strength is above 6 GPa, and the mean fracture toughness is ∼2.5 MPa·m^1/2, relatively high for a highly mineralized material. This combination of properties results in high abrasion resistance. Fluorapatite X-ray absorption spectroscopy exhibits linear dichroism at the Ca L-edge, an effect that makes peak intensities vary with crystal orientation, under linearly polarized X-ray illumination. This observation enables polarization-dependent imaging contrast mapping of apatite, a method to quantitatively measure and display nanocrystal orientations in large, pristine arrays of nano- and microcrystalline structures. Parrotfish enameloid consists of 100 nm-wide, microns long crystals co-oriented and assembled into bundles interwoven as the warp and the weave in fabric and therefore termed fibers here. These fibers gradually decrease in average diameter from 5 μm at the back to 2 μm at the tip of the tooth. Intriguingly, this size decrease is spatially correlated with an increase in hardness.

Local Response of Sialoliths to Lithotripsy: Cues on Fragmentation Outcome

Lithotripsy methods show relatively low efficiency in the fragmentation of sialoliths compared with the success rates achieved in the destruction of renal calculi. However, the information available on the mechanical behavior of sialoliths is limited and their apparently tougher response is not fully understood. This work evaluates the hardness and Young's modulus of sialoliths at different scales and analyzes specific damage patterns induced in these calcified structures by ultrasonic vibrations, pneumoballistic impacts, shock waves, and laser ablation. A clear correlation between local mechanical properties and ultrastructure/chemistry has been established: sialoliths are composite materials consisting of hard and soft components of mineralized and organic nature, respectively. Ultrasonic and pneumoballistic reverberations damage preferentially highly mineralized regions, leaving relatively unaffected the surrounding organic matter. In contrast, shock waves leach the organic component and lead to erosion of the overall structure. Laser ablation destroys homogeneously the irradiated zones regardless of the mineralized/organic nature of the underlying ultrastructure; however, damage is less extensive than with mechanical methods. Overall, the present results show that composition and internal structure are key features behind sialoliths' comminution behavior and that the organic matter contributes to reduce the therapeutic efficiency of lithotripsy methods.

Study on the Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional Directly Binding Hydroxyapatite Powder

In the three-dimensional directly fabricating hydroxyapatite composite artificial bone scaffold process, the liquid bio-binder is sprayed on the surface of bioceramics powder layer. The spraying volume and the powder size directly influence the mechanical properties of the bone scaffold and the future biodegradation performance. When the size of powder is stable, the amount of binder spraying will directly affect the mechanical strength of bone scaffold. In order to figure out the solidification mechanism of α-n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) bio-binder on the hydroxyapatite (HA) powder layer, the molecular dynamics simulation method is applied to investigate the binding energy shifts between NBCA on HA crystallographic planes. The mechanical properties can be deduced from this methodology; furthermore, the Knoop identification experiments are used to investigate the effective elastic modules of pure HA system and HA/NBCA composite model. Both the simulation and the experiments results elucidate that HA (110) has the highest binding energy with NBCA as the high planar atom density and the mechanical properties of HA/NBCA mixed system are stronger than the pure HA system on three-dimensional crystallographic; in this sense, the bone scaffolds with different strengths could be fabricated by controlling various NBCA binders liquid doses on the surface of HA powder layers during the 3D printing process.

Dielectric properties of fluorine substituted hydroxyapatite: the effect of the substitution on configuration of hydroxide ion chains

Dielectric properties of fluoridated hydroxyapatite (F-HAp; Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH)_1−xF_x) were measured. The results show that the F-substitution induces the specific configuration that contains hydrogen bonds in F-HAp.

Control of surface topography in biomimetic calcium phosphate coatings

The behavior of cells responsible for bone formation, osseointegration, and bone bonding in vivo are governed by both the surface chemistry and topography of scaffold matrices. Bone-like apatite coatings represent a promising method to improve the osteoconductivity and bonding of synthetic scaffold materials to mineralized tissues for regenerative procedures in orthopedics and dentistry. Polycaprolactone (PCL) films were coated with calcium phosphates (CaP) by incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF). We investigated the effect of SBF ion concentration and soaking time on the surface properties of the resulting apatite coatings. CaP coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Young's modulus (E(s)) was determined by nanoindentation, and surface roughness was assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and mechanical stylus profilometry. CaP such as carbonate-substituted apatite were deposited onto PCL films. SEM and AFM images of the apatite coatings revealed an increase in topographical complexity and surface roughness with increasing ion concentration of SBF solutions. Young's moduli (E(s)) of various CaP coatings were not significantly different, regardless of the CaP phase or surface roughness. Thus, SBF with high ion concentrations may be used to coat synthetic polymers with CaP layers of different surface topography and roughness to improve the osteoconductivity and bone-bonding ability of the scaffold.

Amorphous calcium phosphate offers improved crack resistance: a design feature from nature?

Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) is found in biological organisms and coated implants, used in calcium phosphate cements, and has been recently confirmed as a precursor in mineralized tissue; however, nothing is known about crack initiation in ACP or its fracture toughness. The objective of this study was to determine the crack resistance of ACP to help understand its role in biological organisms and assist in the design of calcium-phosphate-based implants. ACP was manufactured by quenching droplets to form a bulk sample and individual splats. Testing of Berkovich and cube-corner indenter types revealed that the Berkovich indenter was more suitable, providing ease of crack detection. Nanoindentation was performed on polished ACP and hydroxyapatite (HAp), and cracks were identified with scanning electron microscopy. Additional nanoindentation was done on splats to assess the suitability for testing microarrays used in high throughput discovery of new bioceramics. ACP required about three times more force to initiate a crack compared to sintered HAp, but about nine times more than a single crystal. Crack initiation resistance decreased with increasing grain size. The fracture toughness of ACP was comparable to a single crystal, but higher for nanograined HAp. The crack initiation load can be potentially used for evaluating microsized samples. ACP prevents crack formation, but requires the presence of nanograins to provide a greater toughness. The implications of the higher crack initiation load in ACP are discussed for biological organisms and thermally processed biomaterials such as thermally sprayed and sintered HAp.

On the assessment of hydroxyapatite fluoridation by means of Raman scattering

Hydroxyapatite is the main mineral component of bones and teeth. Fluorapatite, a bioceramic that can be obtained from hydroxyapatite by chemical substitution of the hydroxide ions with fluoride, exhibits lower mineral solubility and larger mechanical strength. Despite the widespread use of fluoride against caries, a reliable technique for unambiguous assessment of fluoridation in in vitro tests is still lacking. Here we present a method to probe fluorapatite formation in fluoridated hydroxyapatite by combining Raman scattering with thermal annealing. In synthetic minerals, we found that effectively fluoride substituted hydroxyapatite transforms into fluorapatite only after heat treatment, due to the high activation energy for this first order phase transition.

Micromechanical properties of single crystal hydroxyapatite by nanoindentation

Knowledge of the intrinsic properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) single crystals is important for the design of natural systems and will assist further improvements of manufactured biomaterials. Nanoindentation provides a useful tool for determining mechanical properties such as the hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness of small samples. A Berkovich indenter was placed on the side and basal planes of a natural single crystal of Durango HAp. The hardness and elastic modulus values obtained revealed higher values for the base (7.1 and 150.4GPa) compared to the side (6.4 and 143.6GPa). The cracking threshold, i.e., the load at which cracking initiates, revealed earlier crack formation on the base (at 8mN) compared to the side (at 11mN). Fracture toughness was measured as 0.45+/-0.09 and 0.35+/-0.06MPam(1/2) for the side and basal plane, respectively. These results suggest that crystals are less prone to cracking and resist microcrack events better on the side, which is useful in bone, while exposing the base, the hardest face, to minimize mass loss from abrasion with teeth.

Novel long-term immobilization method for radioactive iodine-129 using a zeolite/apatite composite sintered body

The amount of radioactive iodine generated from nuclear power plants is expected to increase with the proliferation of nuclear energy production, and long-term immobilization methods for such radioactive elements need to be developed to make nuclear energy sustainable. The standard immobilization method of radioactive elements, vitrification, is not very effective for radioactive iodine-129 because of the low solubility of iodine in silicate melts, its very high volatility at standard vitrification process temperatures, and its instability in the alkaline environment of deep geological layers below 300 m. We have developed a novel three-phase ceramic composite produced by a sintering process. Iodine adsorbed onto Ca-type zeolite A was covered with a hydroxyapatite nanolayer through the exchange reaction of ammonium with calcium. Clusters of iodine of 30 nm within the zeolite structure were found to be thermally stable up to 1253 K because of the partial blockage of the alpha-cage apertures by ammonium ions and the partial change from a crystalline phase to an amorphous phase at 473 K. No gasification of iodine molecules was found to occur during the sintering process. The outer phase was highly crystalline hydroxyfluorapatite in which the hydroxyapatite nanolayer plays an important role for successful sintering. The elution of iodine in low-dioxygen water, similar to that found within the Earth's crust, was investigated and was found to occur only in the surface layer of the sintered body.

Potential applications of fluorhydroxyapatite as biomaterials in medicine

The present work was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity and cytotoxicity of fluorhydroxyapatite ceramics. The bioactivity was evaluated by in vitro testing in simulated body fluid (SBF), in which ion concentrations are almost identical with inorganic ion concentrations of human blood plasma. Pellets of FA, HA and FHA were immersed in SBF for 48 hours, 1 week and 4 weeks at 36.5°C. Changes of the surface microstructure of the samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 48 hours and one week immersion in SBF did not result in any substantial progress in bioactivity. After 4 weeks in SBF a new biologically active layer was created on the surface of the biomaterials. In addition, the embryonal mouse fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3 was used for a comparative study of basal cytotoxicity of FHA, HA and FA discs. The sensitivity of these cells for tested biomaterials was evaluated on the basis of two cytotoxic end points: cell proliferation and cell morphology. The basal cytotoxicity of FHA, FA and HA discs was measured by a direct contact method. After 24, 48 and 72 hours, the cell growth was evaluated by direct counting of non-affected cells and cells treated by biomaterials. After 72 hours of biomaterials treatment, about 25% inhibition of cell number and unchanged morphology was found.

Chemical analysis of silica doped hydroxyapatite biomaterials consolidated by a spark plasma sintering method

Silica (SiO(2)) and the silicate-based biomaterials play an important role due to their in vitro and in vivo biological response. The present study synthesized a novel nano-structured amorphous silica doped hydroxyapatite (HA) via an aqueous precipitation route. HA was prepared with 0, 1, 3 and 5 wt% silica, which are comparable to the measured silicon content of natural bone. After spray drying into micron sized powders, the silica doped HA (SiHA) powders were consolidated at 1000 degrees C with a dwell time of 3 min using a spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a main apatite phase with minor secondary beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) was observed in the as-consolidated SiHA compacts. Substitution of PO(4)(3-) by SiO(4)(4-) in the apatite structure resulting in a small increase in the lattice parameters in both a-axis and c-axis of the unit cell were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) analysis and Raman spectrometer investigation. The cell culture in vitro investigation demonstrated that the presence of silicon in the SPS consolidated compacts contributed to the relatively high cell proliferation ability when compared with phase pure HA.

Preparation of fluoride-substituted hydroxyapatite by a molten salt synthesis route

Fluoride-substituted hydroxyapatite (FHAp) with high thermal and morphologic stability was successfully prepared by a molten salt synthesis route. XRD patterns and FTIR spectra identified the synthesized powders as FHAp solid solution. The FHAp obtained with potassium sulfate as the flux showed the rod-like morphology without detectable decomposition up to 1300 degrees Celsius and the flux, sodium sulfate, led to the spheriodal FHAp. After investigating the effects of salt species on the FHAp morphologies, it was found that solubility was not the exclusive factor, which affected the morphological development of apatite powders, and the cations of molten salt species also played an important role.

The effect of fluoride contents in fluoridated hydroxyapatite on osteoblast behavior

Fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) discs with various fluoride contents (0-0.567 mol F(-)/mol) [corrected] have been used to investigate the effect of fluoride content on osteoblastic cell behavior. SAOS-3 rat osteosarcoma cells were cultured on FHA discs for different time periods. The cell behavior was examined in terms of cell attachment, proliferation, morphology and differentiation. The fluoride content in FHA discs strongly affected the cell activities. More cell attachment and proliferation were observed on the fluoride-containing FHA discs than on pure hydroxyapatite (HA). The fluoride content also affected the differentiation behavior of osteoblastic cells. Cells on FHA discs demonstrated a higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity than those on pure HA after 2 [corrected] weeks of culturing. These results suggested that fluoride ions have a significant impact on different osteoblastic cell activities.

Constitutive modeling of the densification and the grain growth of hydroxyapatite ceramics

In the present work, constitutive models for densification and grain growth were employed to investigate the sintering behavior of pure hydroxyapatite ceramics. For densification study, lattice diffusion, grain-boundary diffusion, and interface reaction mechanisms, and for grain-growth study, surface diffusion mechanism, were considered respectively. Hydroxyapatite ceramics were pressurelessly sintered. The sintering results were discussed and compared with the modeling results. Based on the constitutive models employed and the experimental results obtained, grain-boundary diffusion was identified as the dominant mechanism for the densification of the investigated hydroxyapatite. The grain-growth model provided a good prediction to the grain growth of the investigated hydroxyapatite. The activation energies for densification and grain growth of hydroxyapatite ceramics were evaluated as 1150+/-40 and 1020+/-40 KJ mol(-1), respectively.

Sintered hydroxyfluorapatites--IV: The effect of fluoride substitutions upon colonisation of hydroxyapatites by mouse embryonic stem cells

Biodegradable scaffolds serve a central role for tissue engineering scaffolds and guiding tissue regeneration. Some of these scaffolds, including apatites, display a significant effect upon cell adhesion and cell proliferation. The incorporation of scaffold technology with the developing embryonic stem (ES) cell field and the capacity of ES cells for self-renewal and differentiation are believed to hold enormous potential for applications in biomedical research and regenerative medicine. The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and fluoride substitutions of HAP upon ES cell growth and colonisation. Sintered hydroxyfluorapatite discs were found to support cellular proliferation and colonisation, and the ES cells displayed a tendency for differentiation on the apatite surface as determined by reductions in colony Oct4 immunoreactivity. Fluoride-containing HAPs were found to provide equivalent support to gelatin in terms of cell numbers, yet superior support for cellular colonisation when compared to HAP. This study indicates that fluoride substitutions of HAP may represent a viable strategy for the development of certain engineered tissue replacements and tissue regeneration systems using ES cells.