β-tricalcium phosphate and octacalcium phosphate composite bioceramic material for bone tissue engineering

In bone tissue engineering, suitable mechanical properties and excellent biological performance of biological substitutes are required. β-tricalcium phosphate has superior biocompatibility compared to other calcium phosphate ceramics, but poor osteoinductive properties. Among all calcium phosphates, octacalcium phosphate exhibits excellent osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity. Therefore, it is expected to have novel biological properties combining these two materials together. The FTIR and XRD results confirm abstract that pure β-tricalcium phosphate and octacalcium phosphate mixed powder is synthesized through co-precipitation method. Bulk composites of β-tricalcium phosphate and octacalcium phosphate are produced using molding and cold isostatic pressing technique. The composites exhibit suitable compressive strength and porosities of more than 33%, which meet the requirement for bone substitute materials well. In addition, a layer of hydroxyapatite is deposited on the surface of the material in simulated body fluids. This work provides a new artificial bone substitute material for the bone tissue engineering.