STRUCTURAL-ANALYSES OF CARBONATE-CONTAINING APATITE SAMPLES RELATED TO MINERALIZED TISSUES

Crystallographic and structural aspects of two carbonate-containing (o ne with and another without Zn ions) and a pure hydroxyapatite sample were investigated by high resolution electron microscopy. For five dif ferent zone axes and for the three samples a good correspondence was a lways found between simulated lattice images and observed micrographie s. Numerous structural defects were detected in the carbonate-containi ng apatites, whereas none were found in the similarly prepared pure hy droxyapatite. The incorporation of Zn ions in the crystal lattice of t he carbonate-containing apatite reduces the number of defects.