Microwave Plasma Sintering and In Vitro Study of Porous HA/β-TCP Biphasic Bioceramics

Abstract

Porous HA/β-TCP biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bioceramics were prepared by microwave plasma in order to solve the problems on sintering of Ca-P bioceramics by a conventional furnace. The plasma-sintered samples exhibit a higher densification rate, smaller grain size and higher compressive strength compared to those of conventional sintered samples. The [Ca2+] concentration and the dissolution rate are also higher than those of conventional sintered samples in physiological saline. After immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and simulated inflammation body fluid, the amount of bone-like apatite formed on plasma-sintered samples is more than that formed on conventional sintered samples. The results indicate that plasma sintered porous BCP bioceramics have better mechanical properties and may also have better biological properties. On the other hand, the surface of samples that underwent a simulated inflammation procedure is smoother and the amount of bone-like apatite formed on them is less than that formed on the samples immersed in normal SBF all the time, which may indicate that the light acid in an inflammation response would affect the bone reconstruction when Ca-P bioceramics implanted in living body.