Apatite-forming ability of zirconia gel in modified sbf solutions

摘要

Apatite-forming ability of zirconia gel was examined in a simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of hu7man blood plasma and those a little increased in its pH, or concentration of calcium or phosphate ion. It was found that the zirconia gel forms the apatite on its surface even in the original SBF and that its apatite-forming ability significantly increases by an increase in pH or concentration of calcium or phosphate ion in SBF. This indicate that zirconia ceramics could exhibit bioactivity when their surfaces are modified so that alkali, calcium or phosphate ion is released from the surface to form a lot of Zr-OH groups on their surfaces in body environment.