A simple biomimetic method for calcium phosphate coating

A biomimetic calcium phosphate coating is expected to enhance the bioactivity and bone inductivity of human implants. This study presents a very simple, highly effective biomimetic method to obtain a calcium phosphate coating on a titanium substrate. Using NaH2PO4, a stable solution was prepared with high calcium and phosphate ion concentrations. This solution turned to a supersaturated calcification solution (SCS) when NaHCO3 was added. The addition of NaHCO3 elevated the pH value of the solution gradually and steadily. A uniform coating approximately 40 μm thick was found on the substrates after 24 h immersion. The compositions of the coatings were adjustable from hydroxyapatite (HA) to HA/dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD). The calcium phosphate deposits were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.