Study of physico-mechanical and electrical properties of cerium doped hydroxyapatite for biomedical applications

The hydroxyapatite-based cerium-doped ceramics (Ce-HAp) were synthesized by the wet precipitation method. The mechanical and dielectric properties were investigated by density, microhardness, and impedance spectroscopy techniques. XRD and FTIR techniques were used to study the crystal structure of synthesized ceramics. ICP-OES and EDX results showed the elemental composition of doped Ce ions in the Ce-HAp samples. SEM results showed the rod-like morphology for 1.5 wt% Ce doped powders. Powders of varying Ce concentrations were molded into scaffolds and subjected to sintering at 1250 °C. The density, microhardness, and tensile strength results showed enhanced mechanical properties up to 1.5 wt% Ce which decreased with a further increase in Ce concentration. The impedance results showed better electrical network formation, increased conductivity, and diminished resistances in Ce-doped samples which suggest the usefulness of the composite for better bone healing, regeneration, and bone growth. The standard ion release test showed no leaching of Ce, H+, and OH− ions from fabricated solid pellets even after 22 days of immersion in simulated body fluid. These results indicate the excellent doping potential of Ce ions in hydroxyapatite-based ceramics for biomedical applications.