Production and study of in vitro behaviour of monolithic α-tricalcium phosphate based ceramics in the system Ca3(PO4)2–Ca2SiO4

In this work a new kind of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-Ca3(PO4)2) doped with dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) ceramic materials, with compositions lying in the field of the Ca3(PO4)2 solid solution in the system Ca3(PO4)2–Ca2SiO4, were obtained. The properties of the sintered ceramics were discussed in detail as well as some in vitro relevant properties for bone repairing. Crystalline α-Ca3(PO4)2 solid solution (α-TCPss) was the only phase in the ceramics containing from 1 wt% to 4 wt% of Ca2SiO4. The release of ionic Si in simulated body fluid increased with the content of Ca2SiO4 and favoured α-Ca3(PO4)2 surface transformation. In addition, cell attachment test showed that the α-TCPss supported the mesenchymal stem cells adhesion and spreading, and the cells established close contact with the ceramics after 24 h of culture. According to the results, the investigated α-TCPss ceramics possesses good bioactivity, biocompatibility and mechanical properties, and might be a promising bone implant material.