Effects of biomimetic synthesis route and sintering temperature on physicochemical, microstructural, and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite

Biomimetic synthesis of bioceramics using simulated body fluid (SBF) is a route to produce biomaterials with a more suitable microstructure and characteristics required for bone defect treatments. As matter of fact, the biomimetic method allows us to imitate the natural environment needed for the synthesis of bone-like materials, such as hydroxyapatite (HA). In this study, biomimetic HA was successfully synthesized through the microwave-assisted method by the employment of SBF in different ratios with water as a solvent for precursors. Later, synthesized powders were sintered at four different temperatures (700 degrees C, 900 degrees C, 1100 degrees C, and 1300 degrees C), and their physicochemical properties, as well as microstructure and microhardness, were examined. Results depicted that synthesized biomimetic HAs are highly pure. They experienced larger particle size growth when exposed to higher sintering temperatures when compared to non-biomimetic HA. Moreover, density (porosity) and microhardness of biomimetic HAs, especially the one that used 100% SBF as a solvent for calcium precursor and sintered at 900 degrees C, had closer value to the natural human femur and could serve as promising candidates for bone defect treatment application.