Production of fluorapatite-zirconia biocompatible banocomposite

Iranian researchers from Islamic Azad University succeeded in the production of fluorapatite-zirconia nanocomposite through mechanochemical method. The obtained product has higher chemical stability and lower degradation rate in biological environment. The main objective of the research was to synthesize and characterize fluorapatite-zirconia composite nanopowder through mechanochemical methods. To this end, the mentioned composite nanopowder was produced by using raw material based on calcium and phosphorus and by using ball mill device. In characterization stage, the nanostructural properties of the product were investigated by using laboratorial equipment. Generally speaking, the simplicity of the method and its ability of reproduction are among the important properties of the suggested process, which make possible the mass production of the novel composite. The properties of the product depend on the type of the raw material and also on process parameters such as time, vessel type, atmosphere, and parameters that control the reaction. Therefore, it is mandatory to determine the effect of the parameters on the synthesis process to produce other similar compounds. For instance, since high activation time pollutes the product, it is necessary to determine appropriate time for the production of a product with desirable chemical-phase purity, specially in biological and medical applications. High solubility rate in human body’s physiological environment, low corrosion resistance in acidic media, and weak chemical stability at high temperatures limit the wide application of hydroxyapatite and other materials based on hydroxyapatite. Therefore, the properties of hydroxyapatite have been improved by carrying out structural modification in this research (substitution of fluorine ions and using ceramic strengthening agent). In fact, it is expected that the product would have higher chemical stability and lower solubility rate in biological environment. Results of the research have been published in details in May 2013 in Ceramics International, vol. 39, issue 4, pp. 4329-4337.