Apatite Formation on Zirconia (Y-TZP) Coated with Carbonate Apatite in Simulated Body Fluid

Abstract

Abstract. Various bioactive calcium phosphates such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) have been widely studied due to their biocompatibility and osteoconductivity when implanted into bone defects. CO3Ap has the ability to adapt bone structure and induce bone regeneration; so that it can be categorized as resorbable bioactive materials. CO3Ap induced much stronger response such as cell adhesion and actin ring formation to osteoclast-like cells rather than HA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bioactivity on zirconia (Y-TZP) coated with CO3Ap using simulated body fluid (SBF). Twenty Y-TZP ZrO2 disks with a 12-mm diameter and 1-mm thickness were employed as the samples. The disks were divided into two groups which the control group without CO3Ap coating and tested group with CO3Ap coating. Disks samples are dipped into CO3Ap suspension for one minute and stored in 37°C incubator for 24 hours. The disks were soaked in SBF for 1, 4, and 7 day(s) at 36.5°C. The obtained apatite crystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the apatite formation on the tested group was greater than the control group. The EDS pattern showed the presence of Ca and P on the control and tested group after SBF soaking, which indicate the apatite deposition on the disks’ surface. However, the Ca and P on the tested group was higher compared to the control group. The formation of apatite layer on the disks’ surface is bioactivity indicator of CO3Ap.