Strength of Hollow Hydroxyapatite Microspheres Prepared by a Glass Conversion Process

Abstract

Hollow hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres (diameter = 100-800 μm) were prepared by reacting solid Li2O-CaO-B2O3 glass spheres in 0.25 M K2HPO4 solution at 37°C. The influence of subsequent heating on the microstructure, surface area, and compressive strength of the HA microspheres was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, the BET method, and nano-mechanical testing. The surface area and rupture strength of the as-prepared microspheres were 135 m2/g and 1.6 ± 0.6 MPa, respectively. On heating for 8 h at 600°C, the surface area decreased to 27 m2/g, but there was no increase in the compressive strength (1.7 ± 0.4 MPa). Heating to 800°C (8 h) resulted in a marked decrease in the surface area (to 2.6 m2/g) and a sharp increase in the compressive strength (to >35 ± 8 MPa). These hollow HA microspheres may be useful as devices for drug or protein growth factor delivery or as scaffolds for engineered tissues.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Comprehensive Strength; Hydroxyapatite

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0957-4530

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2009 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2009

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