Effects of nickel on calcium phosphate formation

We have investigated the effect of nickel on calcium phosphate formation fr om aqueous solutions. The calcium phosphates prepared under different react ion conditions (pH, temperature, and nickel concentration) were characteriz ed by X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and chemical analysis. The apat ite compounds were also studied thermogravimetrically. From the combined re sults of the techniques employed we have determined that nickel favors the formation of brushite and amorphous calcium phosphate, We have found, as we ll, that the presence of nickel in the solution inhibits calcium hydroxyapa tite (CaHAP) and octacalcium phosphate formation. However in the synthesis performed at basic pH and 95 degrees C the apatitic phase (HAP) could be ob tained. The present results suggest that the presence of nickel may modify the precipitation of oral calcium phosphate, (C) 2000 Academic Press.