Hydrothermal crystallization of carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite coatings prepared by radiofrequency-magnetron sputtering method.

Carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) films were prepared by low-temperature hydrothermal annealing from carbonate-containing calcium phosphate amorphous coatings on titanium substrates. The biocompatibility of the carbonate-containing HA layers was estimated by in vitro tests using simulated body fluid (SBF). Precursory amorphous coatings were deposited with rf-magnetron sputtering apparatus, using calcium phosphate glass target in Ar/CO2 atmosphere. The carbonate-containing HA coatings were successfully formed by the annealing at above 130 degrees C for 20 h. On the basis of SEM observation, about 2-microm thickness films coated rigidly were durable enough for the hydrothermal treatment. The coating layer was revealed to consist of single phase of PO4(-) and OH- partially carbonated HA by XRD and IR analyses. Overgrowing of bone-like apatite layers on the carbonate-containing HA surfaces in the SBF implied that the obtained films acquired a sufficient osteoconductivity, while it was still unclear that activity was enhanced, compared to pure HA coatings. The low-temperature hydrothermal annealing method was effective for preparation of rigid HA coatings on titanium as well as modification of their chemical compositions.