Ionic conductivity of poorly crystalline apatite: Effect of maturation

This study deals with the effect of maturation on the ionic conduction of p oorly crystalline synthetic apatite. The tendency of this materials to crys tallise during maturation is accompanied by an improvement of its ionic con ductivity a. At room temperature, sigma increased by a factor of 300 after 50 days of maturation. The frequency dependence of the ionic conductivity w as attenuated gradually during maturation. These results are explained by t he short-range organisation of sites with time, and by the fact that the tr anslational movement of the mobile ions becomes less hindered as the materi al matures.