Fabrication of silver/beta‐tricalcium phosphate particle by a simple liquid chemical reduction method

Using beta‐tricalcium phosphate (beta‐TCP), silver nitrate and glucose as the carrier, silver resource and reducing agent, silver/beta‐TCP particle was successfully fabricated by a novel liquid chemical reduction method to overcome the infection problem of beta‐TCP. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of the as‐obtained sample confirmed the existence of metallic silver in the particle. The addition of silver nanoparticle affected the thermal stability of beta‐TCP and prevented the transformation from beta‐TCP to alpha‐TCP. Transmission electron microscopy images and the corresponding calculation result proved the mean size and size distribution of silver nanoparticles in the silver/beta‐TCP particle could be controlled by varying the molar ratio between beta‐TCP and silver nitrate. Moreover, the mean size and size distribution of silver nanoparticles also could be changed by using different stabilisers. The prepared silver/beta‐TCP particle is a potential biomaterial to replace pure beta‐TCP particle and utilise for coating material and other applications.