Gustavo Torres Moure

Dissolution of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite synthesized at different conditions

Abstract The dissolution characteristics of several calcium-deficient hydroxyapatites (HA) have been investigated. Eleven samples were produced by varying synthesis parameters like temperature, pH, digestion time, reagent concentration and velocity of addition. Powder characterization was conducted using X-ray diffraction. Sample crystallinity was variable and samples examined by transmission electron microscopy showed acicular or plate-like morphology. After sample dissolution in Milli-Q water for 168 h, the calcium and phosphate contents in solution were measured by induced coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (OES). The dissolution behavior of calcium-deficient HA was highly dependent on the sample calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) molar ratio of the original HA. Dissolution in water was enhanced with decreasing HA sample molar ratio. However, the dissolution process equilibrium was not achieved at the end of 168 h (7 days).