Effect of Magnesium on the Mechanical and Bioactive Properties of Biphasic Calcium Phosphate

Incorporation of trace elements into calcium phosphate structure is of great interest for the development of artificial bone implants. Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) have been synthesized in the presence of magnesium (5 M% 20 M%) by gel method under physiological conditions. Crystallization of Mg-BCP in the gel medium mimics the Mg intake in the human body. Powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analyses confirmed that the Mg doping leads to the enrichment of β-TCP phase and suppresses the HA content in BCP. Nanoindentation studies indicate a significant decrease in hardness and elastic modulus values of BCP due to Mg doping. In vitro bioactivity study has confirmed the formation of apatite layer on the Mg doped samples making it suitable for bone replacement. The results suggest that the optimum Mg doping promotes the bioactivity which is perquisite for biomedical applications.