Dissolution studies of Zn-containing carbonated hydroxyapatites

The acid dissolution of precipitated hydroxyapatites with carbonate (0.5-9. 2 wt%), with and without zinc being added (0.02-2.2 wt%) was studied. Calci um and phosphate loss varied close to linear for the first 50 min of dissol ution. Markedly lower dissolution values were obtained for the Zn-containin g samples than for the non-zinc ones. The incorporation of zinc into the cr ystal lattice of carbonated hydroxyapatite reduces the acid reactivity, mos t likely due to the formation of crystals with less structural defects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.