Production and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite/Niobo Phosphate Glass Scaffold

Abstract

The present study concerns the production and characterization of porous hydroxyapatite/niobo-phosphate glass ceramics to be used for bone repair. The scaffolds were produced by hydrothermal deposition of monetite on polyurethane sponge substrates, further converted to hydroxyapatite in an alkali solution. After heat treatment, elimination of the organic sponge provides a three-dimensional (3D) structure. Niobo-phosphate glasses were added to the heat treated struts and the scaffolds were sintered. The porous bodies were characterized by field-emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).