Transformation of modified brushite to hydroxyapatite in aqueous solution: effects of potassium substitution

Brushite (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, DCPD, CaHPO4 x 2H2O) was deposited electrolytically from calcium dihydrogen phosphate solution with and without potassium chloride (KCl) as a supporting electrolyte. The kinetics of brushite transformation to hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca5(PO4)3OH) in the presence of calcium and protein free, aqueous body fluid (Hank's balanced salt solution, HBSS) was investigated. We present evidence that the deposition of brushite in a KCl-supported electrochemical bath yields a modified brushite where some of the calcium is substituted by potassium. Transformation of both normal (i.e. potassium free) and modified brushite to hydroxyapatite upon exposure to calcium and protein-free aqueous fluid (HBSS) was followed by reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Changes in the morphology of the coatings were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate that modified brushite undergoes faster transformation to hydroxyapatite in HBSS in comparison to normal brushite. Our results show that the presence of potassium ions in the brushite not only favors the formation of different intermediate phases but also alters transformation rates to HA.