Unexpected Mechanism of Zn2+ Insertion in Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics

Rietveld analysis on X-ray powder diffraction patterns recorded from Zn-doped, Zn/Sr, and Zn/Mg codoped biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) samples has been used to locate Zn 2+ cations in both hydroxyapatite (HAp) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) phases heat-treated at 1100 °C. Zn atoms occupy interstitial sites in HAp (Wyckoff site 2 b ), leading to an insertion solid solution of general composition Ca 10 Zn x (PO 4 ) 6 O 2 x (OH) 2–2 x . Replacement of hydroxyl by O 2– anions with formation of linear O–Zn–O entities should be considered to preserve the electroneutrality of the material. Contrary to HAp case, Zn atoms substitute calcium atoms in β-TCP leading to a substitution solid solution of general composition Ca 3– x Zn x (PO 4 ) 2 . Micro-Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction have confirmed these insertion/substitution mechanisms. The different mechanisms of zinc incorporation should be considered to stabilize the desired calcium phosphate phase which are managed by the Ca/P and (Ca+Zn)/P ratios. Furthermore, discussion of biological properties of Zn-doped calcium phosphate ceramics should take into account the true insertion mechanism as critically discussed here.