The influence of Fe3+ doping on thermally induced crystallization and phase evolution of amorphous calcium phosphate

The present study investigates thermally induced crystallization and phase evolution of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) partially substituted with Fe3+ ions (M/P = 1.5 : 1). It was demonstrated that the presence of Fe3+ ions radically changes the crystallization behavior of ACP and completely prevents the formation of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP, Ca3(PO4)2), which is the first crystalline phase obtained from non-substituted ACP upon thermal treatment. Surprisingly, calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) was obtained instead of α-TCP. Such unusual crystallization behavior was observed with a doping level as low as 0.1 mol% with respect to Ca ions. Moreover, it was shown that the presenc…