Fabrication of calcite block with interconnecting porous structure for bone substitutes

Abstract

In this study porous calcite block was fabricated using calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as precursor and wax spheres as pore-creating volatile particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to characterize phase composition and structure. The results indicated that pure calcite block consisting of interconnecting pores with pore size about 200–400-µm diameter could be obtained. It is indicated that wax spheres are advantageous on producing interconnecting porous structure since they could be easily removed by sintering. Porous calcite block with interconnecting porous structure is expected to apply as bone substitutes since it could support effectively bone cell activities to promote bone healing.