Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous β-Tricalcium Phosphate

Reconstruction of bone defect due to a disease or a trauma can use autograft, allograft, xenograft or synthetic bonegraft as the bone substitute material. However, in particular cases, it is required a material that has a specific resorption characteristic, beside owning excellent bioactive properties, such as β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). In this study, we report the synthesis of β-TCP particles with mesopores structure by using chitosan and aloe vera as templates. A solution of (NH4)2HPO4 was added dropwise into solution of Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and the template at 85°C for 2 hours, and subsequently aged for 3 hours. Then, the formed precipitate was washed and centrifuged repeatedly prior to drying at 80°C for 24 hours. Finally, the dried precipitate was calcined at 900°C for 1 hour to obtain β-TCP powder. Phase identification and mesopores structure were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the existence of functional groups was identified by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Microstructure and particle size distribution were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analyzer (PSA), respectively. XRD analysis shows that β-TCP is dominant with the presence of small amount of impurities. Furthermore, low angle peak in XRD analysis indicates the formation of mesopores structure. From the SEM and PSA analysis, the morphology of both TCP-K and TCP-KA particles showed more large agglomerates and more heterogeneous particle size distribution due to the addition of the biopolymers in the synthesis of β-TCP.