Electrical Polarization of β-Tricalcium Phosphate Ceramics

The β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP)‐sintered pellets and powders were prepared and the ability of β‐TCP to store an electrical charge by electrical polarization was studied. The prepared β‐TCP was characterized by X‐ray diffractometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Alternating‐current impedance conductivity and the energy of activation required for the ionic migration of β‐TCP were calculated. After electrical polarization of synthesized β‐TCP, the thermally stimulated depolarization current was measured, and the total stored charges in the samples were calculated. The energy of activation for the relaxation of electrical polarization in the synthesized β‐TCP pellets and powders approximated the energy of activation required for ionic migration in the β‐TCP pellets. It was confirmed that β‐TCP has a suitable composition and structure for ion conduction and a large electrical charge is stored in both the β‐TCP pellets and powders. Instead of proton transport polarization in hydroxyapatite, other charge carrier, such as Ca2+ or O2−, is assumed in β‐TCP, in which proton is not contained.