Copper substituted hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite: Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial properties

Copper substituted hydroxyapatite (Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(OH)2 (x=0.05–2.0), and fluorapatite Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(F)2 (x=0.05–2.0) were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The synthesized compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds were tested against the organisms Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacteria) and Candida albicans (yeast) quantitatively by spread plate method. 100% reduction in the number of colonies were observed with Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(F)2 (x=0.15–0.5) against E. coli. This material can be considered as good antibacterial agent for bone implantation. •Pure phase upto x=0.5 was obtained in both copper substituted hydroxyapatite and copper substituted fluorapatite Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(OH/F)2.•Significant reduction in the number of colonies was noticed against Staphylococcus aureus (>98%) with both copper substituted hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite.•100% reduction in the number of colonies were observed from x=0.15 to 0.5 in copper substituted fluorapatite Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(F)2 against Escherichia coli.