In situ growth of hydroxyapatite on lamellar alumina scaffolds with aligned pore channels

We prepared hydroxyapatite/alumina (HA/Al2O3) porous composite materials by the in situ growth of HA on lamellar Al2O3 ceramics. The procedure comprises two steps. First, lamellar Al2O3 ceramics with aligned pore channels were obtained by freeze casting Al2O3 slurry. Second, as-prepared monoliths were used as scaffolds and subjected to hydrothermal treatment in the HA precursor solution. We characterized the microstructure, chemical composition, and mechanical properties of synthesized HA/Al2O3. Experiment results show that the addition of H2O2 into the reaction solution plays an important role in controlling the microstructure of the cultivated HA. The formation of HA has no obvious influence on the lamellar architecture of Al2O3 ceramics. The prepared composite materials exhibit superior compressive strength. Combination of the high strength of lamellar Al2O3 with the excellent biological properties of HA increases the potential of obtained HA/Al2O3 for load-bearing biological applications.