A New and Economic Approach to Synthesize and Fabricate Bioactive Diopside Ceramics Using a Modified Domestic Microwave Oven. Part 1: Study of Sintering and Bioactivity

摘要

Diopside (CaMgSi_2O_6) ceramics was synthesized and fabricated by a simple solid-state reaction rather than other used processes. This new and economic approach for diopside fabrication consists mainly of replacing the usually used starting materials by other more economic (activated CaO·MgO powders), using conventional sintering and microwave sintering. The P_2O_5 addition (0.5-5.0 wt%) promotes sintering, crystallization, and bioactivity. Additionally, a considerably low weight loss ratio (0.21%) was also obtained for these samples, after 2 days of soaking in lactic acid. Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) formation in simulated body fluid was confirmed for all sintered samples. Both sintering and CHA formation mechanisms were proposed.