Fabrication, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of mesoporous β‐tricalcium phosphate using the spray drying method

Abstract

Mesoporous beta tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) has recently attracted significant interest as an artificial bone tissue in orthopedics. However, a scalable process is required to meet future demands. Spray drying is one of the potential synthesis methods owing to its low cost and scalable production. In this study, various mesoporous β‐TCP powders were calcined in the range of 800 to 1100 °C, with particle sizes ranging from ~0.3 to ~1.8 μm, specific surface areas from ~16 to ~64 m2/g, and average pore sizes of 3 nm. Except for the 800 °C calcined powder, the other β‐TCP powders (calcination temperatures of 900, 1000, and 1100 °C) exhibited no cytotoxicity. These results indicate that spray‐dried mesoporous β‐TCP powders were obtained. Finally, the corresponding formation mechanisms are discussed.