Effect of titanium and titania on chemical characteristics of hydroxyapatite plasma-sprayed into water

HA and its composite particles (HA/Ti, HA/TiO2) were plasma-sprayed into water as well as on the Ti substrate, respectively. The microstructure and phase compositions of the sprayed HA and its composite particles before and after impinging on the substrate were studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the HA in the composite particles sprayed into water had a higher crystallinity than that in the composite coating. The addition of Ti or TiO2 could both influence the decomposition of HA, but no chemical reacting product between them was formed before and after impinging on the substrate. However, EDS analyses showed the occurrence of interdiffusion of elements between HA and TiO2, which was favorable to enhance the cohesive strength of particles in the composite coating. The post heat treatment at 650 °C for 2 h can effectively improve the crystallinity of coating by transforming amorphous phases into HA.