Carbonate release from carbonated hydroxyapatite in the wide temperature range

Synthetic carbonated apatite ceramics are considered as promising alternative to auto- and allograft materials for bone substitute. The aim of this study was to investigate the thermal stability of an AB-type carbonated apatite in the wide temperature range. The data on the thermal stability have to allow the conditions of the sintering of the ceramics to be controlled. Initial carbonated apatite powders were prepared by interaction between calcium oxide and ammonium hydrogen phosphate with addition of ammonium carbonate. Decomposition process was monitored by infra red spectroscopy, weight loss and X-ray diffraction of solid, and by infra red analysis of condensed gas phase resulted from the thermal decomposition of the sample in equilibrium conditions. Features of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide release were revealed. The synthesized AB-type carbonated apatite is started to decompose at about 400oC releasing mainly carbon dioxide, but retained some carbonate groups and apatite structure at the temperature 1100oC useful to prepare porous carbonate-apatite ceramics intended for bone tissue engineering scaffolds.