Aqueous precipitation method for the formation of Mg-stabilized β-tricalcium phosphate: An X-ray diffraction study

The preparation of magnesium (Mg)-stabilized b-tricalcium phosphate [b-TCP, b-Ca3(PO4)2] was carried out by an aqueous precipitation method and the characterization was performed by powder X-ray diffraction. The transformation of calcium-deficient apatite (def-apatite) into bTCP occurred in the range of 600‐700 8C in the case of Mg substitution, whereas in the absence of Mg the transformation took place at higher temperatures (700‐800 8C). The thermal stability of Mg-stabilized b-TCP powders was observed until 1400 8C resulting in higher density values when compared to that of pure b-TCP, which indicated thermal stability only till 1100 8C and comparably lower density values. Addition of Mg to the precursors Ca/P molar ratio = 1.5 resulted in the formation of small amounts of hydroxyapatite [HAP, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2]. The calculated values for lattice parameters confirm the stabilization role played by Mg. # 2006 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.