Apatite-based Biomaterials Synthesized in Saline Melts

Abstract

An essentially new method of synthesis of apatite — based materials in saline melts at moderate temperatures (500–700°C) is developed. The method combines in itself the advantages of the ways of hyper-thermal hydrolysis (a “dry” method) and precipitation from aqueous solutions (a “wet” method). The thermodynamic estimation of efficiency of the interaction between components allowed optimizing the composition of a reaction mixture. As a reaction media the chloride melt of the equimolar NaCl-KCl composition as well as eutectics of the Li₂CO₃-Na₂CO₃-K₂CO₃ composition were used. The obtained materials were identified with a method of the X-ray phase analysis. A mechanism of the synthesis of apatites in saline melts basing on solubility of the components was proposed. The capability to form of mechanically strong and porous items (tablets) directly in the process of synthesis of calcium hydroxiapatite in the molten carbonate eutectics was established. The developed method of synthesis of the biocompatible nano-scale materials and composites from them is a rather effective and accessible way to practical usage in stomatology, orthopaedics and other areas of medicine.