The structure and properties of electroceramics for bone graft substitution

Hydroxyapatite (HA) and barium titanate (BT) powders were mixed and sintered to form hydroxyapatite - barium titanate (HABT) ceramics. These materials were then poled and their piezoelectric properties were measured. The microstructure of unpoled samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The piezoelectric constants (d(33) and d(31)) of the ceramics were found to be dependent on the proportion of BT in the ceramic In materials containing less than 70% BT, no piezoelectric effect was found. Above this value, the piezoelectric constant increased with the addition of BT up to a value of 108pCN(-1) for pure BT. Values of d(33) for ceramics containing more than 80% BT are above values previously shown to have a positive influence on bone growth in vivo. SEM analysis indicated that the grain size within the materials decreased as the proportion of BT in the material was reduced. Examination of the microstructure of the ceramics indicated the presence of electrical domains in the 100% BT and 95% BT ceramics. Domains were not visible below 95% BT. The reduction in grain size may influence the reduction in piezoelectric activity within the materials but cannot be considered to be the only cause.