Electrical behavior of hydroxyapatites M-10(PO4)(6)(OH)(2) (M = Ca, Pb, Ba)

Synthetic hydroxyapatites containing metal oxides were precipitated from so lution and characterized using both structural and chemical techniques. The electrical conductivity of M-10(PO4)(6)(OH)(2) (M = Ca, Pb, Ba) hydroxyapa tites has also been measured, In these compounds, protons are the main char ge carriers, The most pronounced effect of substitution on conduction prope rties was observed with lead containing hydroxyapatites. The resulting freq uency-dependent conductivity displays a behavior characteristic of structur ally distorted solid electrolytes. The relation between structure and elect rical properties is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.