Functional properties of conventionally sintered Al ₂ O ₃ –CaTiO ₃ composite

Abstract Despite the favourable biomaterial properties of alumina ceramics in the last two decades, it revealed weak bioactivity in vitro and in vivo studies that limit the monolithic alumina ceramics for biomedical applications. CaTiO ₃ is a piezoelectric ceramic and has been reported as a high dielectric constant and a good substrate for apatite growth. This paper highlights the beneficial effect of adding CaTiO ₃ to alumina and encourages the development of electrically active biomaterial for bone replacement. In this regard, the alumina–calcium titanate (Al ₂ O ₃ –CaTiO ₃ ) composite was synthesized by sol–gel techniques. The densification of uniaxial pressed calcined sol–gel powders was sintered in a conventional furnace at a temperature of 1400°C for 2 hour. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to determine the phases and morphology of powders and sintered composite. The impedance analyzer was used to investigate the dielectric and electrical properties of the sintered composite. As a result, the phases of Al ₂ O ₃ and CaTiO ₃ were retained and confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis. Impedance analysis indicates the decreasing trend of the dielectric constant and AC conductivity of the sintered sample with the function of frequency and temperatures. Finally, it can be concluded that the Al ₂ O ₃ –CaTiO ₃ composite could be potentially used as a functional biomaterial.