In situ synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction study of the early hydration of α-tricalcium phosphate/tricalcium silicate composite bone cement

Abstract

Bioactivity, osteogenicity and mechanical properties of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) based phosphates cements can be improved by adding tricalcium silicate (C 3); however, the addition of C 3 delays the precipitation and growth of calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA). Thus, the aim of this work was the study of in situ setting reaction of α-TCP/C 3 composite bone cement under high energy X-ray generated by a synchrotron source within the first 72h. The results showed that the addition of C 3 induces the precipitation of nanosized CDHA at early times depending on the added content. Calculated crystallite sizes showed that the higher the content of C 3, the smaller the crystal size at the beginning of the precipitation. These results are different from those obtained by conventional XRD method, suggesting that the proposed technique is a powerful tool in determining the composition and extent of reaction of CPCs surfaces in real time.