Interface-mediated synthesis of hydroxyapatite

Interfacing of water vapor and titanium was employed for a controlled synth esis of surface-supported hydroxyapatite. In this approach, a Ti surface wa s doped with Ca and P by ion implantation and then subjected to a hydrother mal treatment in a water vapor autoclave. Ion implantation served to prepar e a reactive blend of finely dispersed reactants in a stoichiometric ratio incorporated within the network of an outermost layer of the substrate surf ace. Needle-like carbonate hydroxyapatite in an overlap was identified to d eposit onto the surface. The results suggest interface-mediated thin film f ormation and phase transformation. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.