Preparation and properties of α-tricalcium phosphate microspheres by spray drying

Abstract

α-TCP microspheres were obtained by atomizing aqueous slurries containing 50 wt% of low crystallinity α-TCP and 1 wt% of citric acid. Poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol) were tested as a binder. The spray drying process yielded to microspheres with mean diameter around 20 μm and sphericity (horizontal and vertical length ratio) closest to one, which is essential to many applications, such as drug delivery and injectability of cements. The addition of binders was necessary to decrease the amount of loose particles and to improve powder flowability but it also caused a reduction in wettability and surface area. Best results were achieved with 3 wt% of PVA, as the microspheres presented the highest specific surface area, wettability, and sphericity. The microspheres prepared in this study may be used as injectable bone cements precursor since their geometry and flowability would favor paste homogeneity and injectability overcoming many drawbacks of today's injectable bone cements.