SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF A MULTIPHASIC POLYMER-CERAMIC MIXTURE MATERIAL

We report the results obtained by infrared (IR) and X-ray photoelectro n spectroscopy (XPS) on the multiphasic composite material formed by t he mixture of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC). This synthetic material, intended for bone substitut ion, is injectable and allows percutaneous surgery. Core level spectra of carbon, oxygen, calcium, and phosphorus were recorded on separate components before mixing and then compared to those obtained in the fi nal product. Analysis of the spectra shows that formation of calcium c arbonate has occurred upon mixing the components in agreement with IR results. An attempt to explain the formation mechanism of the composit e is given involving the nature of the constituents on one hand and th e possible reactions between the different components on the other.