Synthesis, structural analysis, mechanical, antibacterial and hemolytic activity of Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ co-substitutions in...

The present study reports the synthesis, structural, mechanical and in vitro characterization of a series of Mg(2+) and Cu(2+) co-substitutions in β-Ca3(PO4)2. Aqueous precipitation technique ensured the formation of calcium deficient apatite with substituted ions in the as prepared conditions and their subsequent heat treatments at 1000°C resulted in the formation of crystalline β-Ca3(PO4)2. The combined substitutions of lower sized Mg(2+) and Cu(2+) in the structural lattice of β-Ca3(PO4)2 led to the significant contraction in a=b-axis and c-axis lattice parameters of β-Ca3(PO4)2. The results from Rietveld refinement confirmed the occupancy of Mg(2+) and Cu(2+) at the Ca(5) site of β-Ca3(PO4)2. The results from mechanical tests proved that Mg(2+) and Cu(2+) substitutions are not hindering the mechanical properties of β-Ca3(PO4)2. The antibacterial and hemolytic results determined for the Mg(2+) and Cu(2+) co-substituted β-Ca3(PO4)2 ensured their good activity against the investigated microbes and also confirmed their blood biocompatibility.