FURI | Spring 2025

Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Bone Mineral from Calcium and Phosphate Precursors Via Sol-Gel Chemistry For Conformal Orthopedic Implant Coatings: Phase II

Given developments in advanced biomaterials, there is a growing interest in replacing metal with non-metal fixation devices. This study is a continuation of Phase I whereby the natural ceramic, hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesized by sol-gel chemistry technology using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and triethyl phosphate precursors. The goal of Phase II is to determine if it is possible to develop mechanically robust, conformal sol gel-derived HA coatings from various heat treatment processes. Sol gel-derived HA coatings will be first made with the respective HA precursors and subsequently processed using external (muffle furnace) processes. The sol-gel derived coatings will then be characterized with X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy from which an estimation of coating mechanical quality will be determined.