J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 2005, 88 [3] 587–592

 

Apatite Converted from 3-D Ordered Macroporous Sol–Gel Bioactive Glass (3DOM-BG) Particles

 

Kai Zhang and Lorraine F. Francis*

 

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

 

Hongwei Yan and Andreas Stein

 

Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

 

Abstract

 

3-D ordered macroporous sol–gel bioactive glass particles (3DOM-BG, pore size: 345 nm; molar composition: 75 SiO₂– 21 CaO–4 P₂O₅) were converted into nano-crystalline calciumdeficient carbonate apatite after soaking at 37 deg. C in simulated body fluid. The as-formed, flake-like apatite transformed into a coral-like, highly crystalline hydroxyapatite with a minor tricalcium phosphate phase after heating for 1 h at a temperature of 700 deg. C. Fourier transform infrared results show the loss of carbonate and isolation of hydroxyl during heating. The heat treatment improved the apatite’s resistance to dissolution in a buffer solution (pH=5).