Aqueous precipitation method for the formation of Mg-stabilized β-tricalcium phosphate: An X-ray diffraction study

The preparation of magnesium (Mg)-stabilized β-tricalcium phosphate [β-TCP, β-Ca3(PO4)2] was carried out by an aqueous precipitation method and the characterization was performed by powder X-ray diffraction. The transformation of calcium-deficient apatite (def-apatite) into β-TCP occurred in the range of 600–700 °C in the case of Mg substitution, whereas in the absence of Mg the transformation took place at higher temperatures (700–800 °C). The thermal stability of Mg-stabilized β-TCP powders was observed until 1400 °C resulting in higher density values when compared to that of pure β-TCP, which indicated thermal stability only till 1100 °C and comparably lower density values. Addition of Mg to the precursors Ca/P molar ratio = 1.5 resulted in the formation of small amounts of hydroxyapatite [HAP, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2]. The calculated values for lattice parameters confirm the stabilization role played by Mg.