Accelerated transformation of brushite to octacalcium phosphate in new biomineralization media between 36.5 °C and 80 °C

This study investigated the hydrothermal transformation of brushite (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, DCPD, CaHPO4·2H2O) into octacalcium phosphate (OCP, Ca8(HPO4)2(PO4)4·5H2O) in seven different newly developed biomineralization media, all inspired from the commercial DMEM solutions, over the temperature range of 36.5 °C to 90 °C with aging times varying between 1 h and 6 days. DCPD powders used in this study were synthesized in our laboratory by using a wet-chemical technique. DCPD was found to transform into OCP in the Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl− and H2PO4− containing aqueous biomineralization media in less than 72 h at 36.5 °C, without stirring. The same medium was able to convert DCPD into OCP in about 2 h at 75–80 °C, again without a need for stirring. Samples were characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).