Synthesis of Si-substituted hydroxyapatite by a wet mechanochemical method

Si-substituted hydroxyapatites with up to 2.0 wt% Si content, have been prepared by a wet mechanochemical method to obtain improved biocompatibility. From XRD, ICP and FTIR analysis, single phase of modified hydroxyapatite with PO43- partially substituted by SiO44- was confirmed. The XRD data indicated that some changes take place in the HA lattice with varying Si contents in Si-HA samples. The in-vitro bioactivity of the as-obtained materials was determined by soaking the materials in SBF, monitoring the changes of chemical composition and pH value of the SBF solution, whereas the microstructures of the soaked powders were observed by TEM. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.