Synthesis of Silica/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite by Mechanochemical Method

Biocompatibility of Silica makes it a suitable material for biomedical applications. The main components of teeth and bones are calcium phosphate (CP). Hydroxyapatite (HA) is expected to be used in different fields not only in biomedical applications but also in agriculture as a fertilizer and pollution treatment. Various substitutions in the apatite lattice play a significant role in its properties. In the present work, Silica-50, 40, 30 and 25 mol.% Hydroxyapatite nanocomposites were prepared successfully by mechanochemical processing method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) indicated that silica stimulates the HA decomposition to β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). XRD of heat-treated compacted sample at 1200oC confirmed β-TCP and calcium phosphate silicate phases formation. Mechanical properties decreased with decreasing HA content. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results revealed that pure HA possess the highest resistivity to corrosion, while the silica/HA samples showed lower corrosion resistance. The polarization resistance increases with HA content.

Development of a new approach to diagnosis of the early fluorosis forms by means of FTIR and Raman microspectroscopy

This study is aimed at investigating the features of mineralization of the enamel apatite at initial stages of fluorosis development. Samples of teeth with intact and fluorotic enamel in an early stage of the disease development (Thylstrup–Fejerskov Index = 1–3) were studied by Raman scattering and FTIR using Infrared Microspectroscopy beamline at Australian Synchrotron equipment. Based on the data obtained by optical microspectroscopy and calculation of the coefficient R [A-type/B-type], which represents the ratio of carbonation fraction of CO32−, replacing phosphate or hydroxyl radicals in the enamel apatite lattice, the features of mineralization of enamel apatite in the initial stages of development of the pathology caused by an increased content of fluorine in the oral cavity were established. Statistical analysis of the data showed significant differences in the mean values of R [A-type/B-type] ratio between the control and experimental groups for surface layers (p < 0.01). The data obtained are potentially significant as benchmarks in the development of a new approach to preventive diagnostics of the development of initial and clinically unregistered stages of human teeth fluorosis, as well as personalized control of the use of fluoride-containing caries-preventive agents.

TbO+ in a calcium apatite matrix featuring a triple trigger-type relaxation of magnetization

Magnetically bistable TbO+ embedded in the apatite lattice shows three switchable paths of the magnetization relaxation.

Synthesis of Peroxyapatite by Hydrothermal Processing

Peroxide ions in apatite provides an additional resource for imparting an antibacterial capability in apatite. A hydrothermal process has been developed for including peroxide ions into the apatite lattice. Three oxygen generation compounds, hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulphate and paracetic acid were investigated for peroxyapatite generation. Hydrogen peroxide provides the highest peroxide containing apatite. Both the oxygen generation and the apatite lattice formation represented the two critical factors for producing peroxyapatite. Unlike with high temperature processing, the cooling rate did not influence the retained peroxide content. This new process provides a building block for investigating antibacterial properties of peroxyapatite in a low temperature process.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cx-Siy-HA for Bone Tissue Engineering Application

The main goal of this work is to prepare carbon and silicon co-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite (Cx-Siy-HA) for bone tissue engineering application. This study includes the synthesis of pure powders with a controlled amount of carbonate (x) and silicate (y) ions within the apatite structure, their characterization with the establishment of database for different compositions, and the manufacture of dense bioceramics. Carbon-silicon co-substituted hydroxyapatite (C0.5-Si0.5-HA) powders are synthesized by aqueous precipitation. According to structural, spectroscopic and elemental characterizations, silicate and carbonate are included in the apatite lattice and their stoichiometries are controlled. The heat treatments under CO2 atmosphere allow the sintering of pellets without decomposition of the apatite structure.

Rietveld Refinement of Sintered Magnesium Substituted Calcium Apatite

The incorporation of magnesium in the synthetic apatite has been associated with biomineralization process and osteoporosis therapy in human and animals. Magnesium easily replaces calcium in the apatite lattice and influences or controls the hydroxyapatite crystallization processes. In this work, Mg-substituted calcium deficient apatite, with Mg/Ca ratio = 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 were synthesized by precipitation method. Then, sintered at 1000 oC and compared with a commercial product labeled as tricalcium phosphate sintered at the 1000 oC. The sintered products showed tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) structure. The Mg2+ substitution in the Ca(4) and Ca(5) sites of β-TCP and the lattice parameter changes were estimated using the Rietveld method. Using this method, the formulas Ca2.73(Mg0.27)(PO4)2, Ca2.71(Mg0.29)(PO4)2 and Ca2.70(Mg0.23Mg0.07)(PO4)2 were calculated for the samples with Mg/Ca ratio = 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 respectively.

Silicon Dissolution from Microporous Silicon Substituted Hydroxyapatite and its Effect on Osteoblast Behaviour

In this study silicon release from SiHA into tissue culture medium was investigated under static and semi-dynamic conditions. The effect of silicon release under semi-dynamic conditions on alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and collagen I (CICP) expression by osteoblast like cells (HOS TE85) was also examined. Under static conditions a low level of silicon was released within 24 hours, this initial level dropped over 3-7 days but subsequently increased again by 10-14 days. Under semi-dynamic conditions silicon was released within 24 hours and was subsequently reduced with each medium change until equilibrating at close to 0 after 10 days. ALP and CICP showed significant variation in expression between culture conditions. In direct contact with SiHA ALP peaked at day 10 and CICP was constantly elevated. Cells grown in the presence of but not on SiHA expressed progressively decreasing levels of ALP from 7-14 days, with CICP peaking at day 10. On thermanox (TMX) ALP constantly increased and CICP peaked at day 10. The results indicate that silicon leaches out of the lattice of the SiHA crystal structure but may also be reprecipitated onto the substrate. We have also demonstrated that Si influences osteoblast metabolism and differentiation whether it is available as free silicon or 'bound' in the apatite lattice.