Fabrication of pure hydroxyapatite and fluoridated-hydroxyapatite coatings by electrocrystallisation

Plasma-sprayed coatings of hydroxyapatite (HA) applied to metal implants are biocompatible and capable of forming strong chemical bonds with natural bone tissue. However, structural changes normally occur in these coatings as a result of high-temperature transformation during the process which may adversely affect the chemical stability of the coating in vivo. This paper reports an electrochemical route for fabricating pure HA and fluoridated-HA coatings at low temperatures which eliminates the risk of phase transformation in these coatings.