Microhardness and phase composition of TiOy/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites synthesized under low-temperature annealing conditions

Abstract

We have prepared a dispersion-hardened composite material based on hydroxyapatite (HAP) and nonstoichiometric titanium monoxide (TiO_y). To this end, substoichiometric titanium monoxide (y < 1; 10 or 20 wt %) was added to HAP precipitated from solution. After heat treatment, pure HAP and HAP containing 10 and 20 wt % TiO_0.92 differed in the behavior of their microhardness. The addition of TiO_0.92 lowers the hardening onset temperature of the composite material by several hundred degrees Celsius. Annealing at 600°C leads to the formation of the Ti_4.5O₅ and Ti₆O₁₁ phases in the composite containing 20 wt % TiO_0.92.