Effect of chemical treatments on the ionic conductivity of carbonate apatite

Abstract A poorly crystallized carbonate-apatite analogous to bone mineral is prepared by co-precipitation at room temperature and dried by lyophilisation. The effect of different media (CO 3 2− , HPO 4 2− , OH − and F − ) on its ionic conductivity properties is investigated. Infra-red spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to characterize the treated and untreated apatites. Frequency-dependent ionic conductivity was rapidly attenuated succeeding F − treatment or accentuated following CO 3 2− treatment. These results were explained by the occurrence of structural order or disorder in back of F − or CO 3 2− chemical treatments, respectively. Electrical studies using complex impedance method show that HPO 4 2− groups contribute to the conductivity of these biomaterials.