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Iron is a vital element of cellular function within the body. High concentrations of iron can be found in the kidneys and the circulatory system. In bones and teeth it is present as a trace element. The use of iron-based compounds in combination with hydroxyapatite offers a new alternative for prosthetic devices. This work investigates the synthesis and processing of iron containing apatites as a possible new type of ceramic for biomedical devices. Stoichiometric and calcium deficient iron containing apatites were synthesized by a wet chemical reaction with di-ammonium-hydrogen-phosphate, calcium nitrate and a ferrous iron nitrate solution. A secondary phase of tri-calcium-phosphate (TCP) was observed after heat treatment of iron containing, calcium deficient, hydroxyapatite. The apatite structure was maintained after heat treatment of stoichiometric apatite, synthesized in the presence of iron. Sintering in air produced oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+, resulting in the formation of hematite as a secondary phase. The introduction of iron into the synthesis of hydroxyapatite causes: (i) an increase of the a-lattice parameter after synthesis and heat treatment in air; (ii) an increase in the c-lattice parameter after sintering in air.

The development of synthetic apatites that replicate the features and properties of the contained in natural tissues will help to diminish the misfit between artificial implants and natural hostesses but the structure of these compounds is still under discussion. The variability in Ca/P ratio of calcium deficient apatites has been explained through different models: surface adsorption, lattice substitution and intercrystalline mixtures of hydroxyapatite and octacalcium phosphate. This work investigates which of the models mentioned suits better in a range of samples. Hydroxyapatites obtained by precipitation, by hydrolysis of dicalcium phosphate and calcined samples with Ca/P ratio between 1.50 and 1.77 and specific surface area between 7 and 108 m2/g have been analysed. OCP and surface adsorption models suit better for great SSA particles and low Ca/P ratio while for smaller SSA particles the lattice substitution model is more accurate. SSA also plays the main role when the capacity to absorb substances is studied though their chemistry can not be explained solely in terms of surface reactivity.

The layering of fluorapatite on hydroxyapatite bodies provides a means of decreasing the solubility of hydroxyapatite, providing fluoride for possible stimulation of bone formation and delaying the release of calcium and phosphate from the more soluble hydroxyapatite. The purpose of this work was to encapsulate hydroxyapatite particles with fluorapatite spanning a thickness more than several crystallites deep. A three-step procedure was employed. Hydroxyapatite powder was immersed in an electrolyte solution until an equilibrium was established between the solid and the dissolved calcium at pH 4.67 and 37 °C. Equilibrium was determined by measurement of dissolved calcium with a calcium-specific ion-specific electrode. A 5×10−2 M ammonium fluoride added to the suspension resulted in a rapid decrease of both calcium and fluoride in the solution. Analysis with X-ray diffraction indicated that a fluoride rich layer containing calcium fluoride deposited onto the particle surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed submicron spherical precipitate clusters on the hydroxyapatite particles. These clusters transformed to fluorapatite by soaking in a 0.1 M K2HPO4 solution at pH 8 and 70 °C. A total time of 10 h was necessary for complete transformation of CaF_2 into fluorapatite.