Electrovectorial effect of polarized hydroxyapatite on quasi-epitaxial growth at nano-interfaces

Controllability of crystal growth on polarized hydroxyapatite (HAp) associated with simulated body fluid (SBF) was studied. Polarizing microscopic observation showed the crystal layer with c-axis vertically oriented to the polarized HAp surface. Scanning electron microscopic observation (SEM) showed an initial growth of the crystal. Structurally and micromorphologically oriented particles were precipitated on the surfaces of polarized HAp ceramics. Confocal laser scanning microscopic observation (CLSM) revealed higher Ca2+ concentration near negatively polarized surfaces. The polarization on HAp may make the crystal deposition with an orientation, and an electrostatic field to the ambient ions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.