Growth of brushite crystals in sodium silicate gel and their characterization

Brushite (CaHPO(4)2H(2)O, DCPD) single crystals were grown in sodium silicate gel at room temperature. The single diffusion technique was employed in growing crystals. Suitable reactants such as ammonium di-hydrogen phosphate and calcium nitrate tetra hydrate were used as inner and outer reactants. Growth parameters, such as concentration of reactants, gel density and period of growth, were investigated. With 1M ammonium di-hydrogen phosphate and 2M calcium nitrate tetra hydrate, Brushite needles of the size up to 40mm in length were obtained in a period of 45 days. The crystals grown were confirmed to be Brushite by XRD and FTIR analyses. As determined by nano-indentation tests, these crystals had average modulus and hardness values of 22.5GPa and 1.75GPa, respectively.