Influence of strontium on the synthesis and surface properties of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bioceramics

Abstract

Purpose: Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics are suitable for synthetic bone applications. The strontium substituted calcium phosphate ceramics have potential for use in orthopedic surgeries. Aim of the present work is to introduce strontium into BCP (composed of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate) ceramics and to study their bioactivity and mechanical properties.

Methods: BCP ceramics have been synthesized at room temperature under the physiological pH of 7.4 by gel method in the presence of strontium (5, 10 M %).

Results: The appropriate choice of anhydrous CaCl₂ as precursor solution has promoted the formation of BCP instead of pure HA for CaCl₂.2H₂O. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of BCP with different HA and ß -TCP ratios depending upon the Sr content. The presence of Sr has reduced the nucleation and growth rate of BCP when compared to pure system. The SEM micrographs showed that the microstructural morphology of BCP changes from fibrous to platelet.

Conclusion: Nanoindentation studies indicate a significant decrease in the hardness and elastic modulus values of BCP ceramics due to Sr doping. In vitro bioactivity study has revealed the formation of apatite layer on the Sr doped BCP samples and the doping enhanced its bioactivity.