Study of fluorhydroxyapatite coatings on carbon/carbon composites

Fluorhydroxyapatite coatings were prepared on the surface of carbon/carbon composites using the combined action of ultrasonic-electrodeposition and ion exchange. The morphology, structure and composition of the prepared coatings after ion exchange were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy spectrum analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results show that the crystallinity of the coating as well as the intensity of the diffraction peaks (112) and (300) of hydroxyapatite increased, whereas the intensity of the diffraction peaks of tricalcium phosphate decreased. The small lamellar crystals were converted into large ones. The fluorine content in the coating was 4.59%. The bonding strength between the coating and the carbon/carbon matrix increased slightly after immersion, reaching 4.12 MPa. The mechanism of the ion exchange during which hydroxyapatite turned into fluorhydroxyapatite is discussed.