Nanostructured calcium phosphate-based bioceramics from waste materials

Abstract

Calcium phosphate-based bioceramics have attracted increasing interest for different medical and dental applications. They have a very similar mineral structure to the inorganic structure of human bones and teeth and also good biocompatibility and bioactivity properties. Among these bioceramics, special attention has been given to hydroxyapatite (Hap) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Several methods have been used to synthesize calcium phosphate-based bioceramics, including wet and solid-state reaction methods. In general, these methods use very expensive high-purity raw material sources. This fact has stimulated technological and scientific researches in order to establish lower-cost alternative raw material sources for the synthesis of calcium phosphate-based bioceramics. In this context, the use of waste materials as low-cost renewable raw material sources for the synthesis of calcium phosphate-based powders appears to be a viable economical and environmental option. This chapter presents a review on the reuse of calcium-rich waste materials as alternative raw materials to produce nanostructured calcium phosphate-based bioceramics.