Mechano-chemical synthesis and characterization of nanostructured β-TCP powder

Tricalcium phosphates (Ca3(PO4)2: β-TCP) are known for their biodegradable characteristics and are essential components of natural bone. Unlike hydroxyapatite (HAp), β-TCP is not the stable phase at room temperature. It is normally obtained by solid-state synthesis at temperatures in excess of 600 °C where calcium deficient hydroxyapatite transforms to β-TCP. Low temperature approaches for synthesizing this phase could offer unique opportunities with regards to controlling the microstructure and its degradable characteristics. In this study, the possibility of synthesizing β-TCP directly by a mechano-chemical route has been investigated. The starting materials were mechanically milled for various time periods. The resultant calcium phosphate powder has been analyzed using XRD, FTIR, DTA/TGA and SEM.