Characterization of the apatite formation on the surfaces of zirconia and alumina ceramics in body environments.

Induction of an apatite-forming ability on a 100% Y2O3-ZrO2, 100% Al2O3, and 80/20 and 20/80 wt% of zirconia-alumina (Y2O3-ZrO2-Al2O3) composite polycrystals via chemical treatment with 5M H3PO4 have been investigated. The chemical treatments produced Zr-O surface functional groups, which are known to be effective for apatite nucleation in simulated body fluid. It's believed that AI-OH surface functional groups are not effective for apatite nucleation. I this work was shown that apatite nucleates in substrate of alumina treat and untreated chemically. This implies that Al-OH functional groups are effective for apatite nucleation.