Taiana G. Moretti Bonadio, Francielle Sato, Antonio Medina Neto, Wilson R. Weinand, Mauro L. Baesso e Walter M. Lima

JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS – Volume: 113; Issue: 22; Article Number: 223505; DOI: 10.1063/1.4809653

In this work, we investigate the bioactivity and structural properties of nanostructured bulkcomposites that are composed of Nb O and natural hydroxyapatite (HAp) and are produced by mechanical alloying and powder metallurgy. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy data showed that the milling process followed by a heat treatment at 1000 °C induced chemical reactions along with the formation of the CaNbO, PNbO and Ca(PO) phases. Rietveld refinement indicated significant changes in each phase weight fraction as a function of HAp concentration. These changes influenced the bioactivity of the material. XRD and FTIRanalyses indicated that the composites exhibited bioactivity characteristics by forming a carbonated apatite layer when the composites were immersed in a simulated body fluid. The formed layers had a maximum thickness of 13 m, as measured by confocal Raman spectroscopyand as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The results of this work suggest that the tested bulk composites are promising biomaterials for use in implants.

Link