Apatite formation behavior on tricalcium phosphate (TCP) porous body in a simulated body fluid

Apatite formation behavior of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics with different phases and porosity was investigated in a simulated body fluid (SBF, Kokubo solution). The pure alpha-TCP with 80% porosity did not form hydroxyapatite (HAp) on its surface after soaking in SBF for 7 days. On the other hand, the pure alpha-TCP with 20% porosity formed HAp on its surface after soaking in SBF within 7 days, and the biphasic TCP, which consisted of mixture of alpha-TCP and beta-TCP and had 20% porosity, formed HAp within 1 day. The low porosity and coexistence of alpha-TCP and beta-TCP phases in TCP ceramics were effective for apatite formation in SBF.