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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Rapid Mix Preparation of Bioinspired Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Applications
Published on: February 23, 2017
Development and Characterization of Biogenic Hydroxyapatite Coatings Derived from Crab Shell Waste on Ti6Al4V
Yago Antonio de Lima Guedes1, Maurício Maia Ribeiro2, Douglas Santos Silva3
1Materials Engineering Program, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará-IFPA, Avenida Almirante Barroso, 1155, Marco, Belém CEP 66093-020, PA, Brazil.
Abstract:
In this work, we developed and characterized a hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic coating derived from Ucides cordatus crab-shell waste and applied it onto Ti-Al-V titanium substrates for biomedical use. Substrate analysis confirmed an α + β two-phase microstructure and Rockwell C hardness of ~35 HRC; optical emission spectrometry indicated a non-conforming Ti-6Al-4V composition (Al slightly above and V slightly below ASTM F136-18 limits), with expected α-phase predominance. Aqueous synthesis of biogenic HA used CaO (from 800 °C calcined shells) reacted with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-Ca3(PO4)2), followed by deposition onto Ti-Al-V surfaces prepared with or without a thermochemical treatment that homogenized roughness (Ra ≈ 0.587 µm). The coatings were continuous, ~95-98 µm thick, and showed good qualitative adhesion. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed porous, nanocrystalline, acicular morphologies typical of biogenic apatite's. Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) yielded Ca/P ≈ 1.85-1.88, while X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) indicated Ca-enrichment relative to stoichiometric HA. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed a predominantly hexagonal HA phase with high crystallinity. These results demonstrate a technically and environmentally feasible route to bioactive coatings using marine biowaste, aligning low-cost, local waste valorization with functional performance on titanium implants.
