Surface-induced mineralization: a new method for producing calcium phosphate coatings

Calcium phosphate coatings were nucleated and grown from aqueous solution onto titanium metal substrates via surface-induced mineralization (SIM) processing techniques. This process is based on the observation that in nature organisms use biopolymers to produce ceramic composites, such as teeth, bones, and shells. The SIM process involves modification of a surface to introduce surface functionalization followed by immersion in aqueous supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions. This low-temperature process (< 100 degrees C) has advantages over conventional methods of calcium phosphate deposition in that uniform coatings are produced onto complex-shaped and/or microporous samples. Additionally, because it is a low-temperature process, control of the phase and crystallinity of the deposited material can be maintained.