Copper substituted hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite: Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial properties

Copper substituted hydroxyapatite (Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(OH)2 (x=0.05-2.0), and fluorapatite Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(F)2 (x=0.05-2.0) were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The synthesized compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds were tested against the organisms Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacteria) and Candida albicans (yeast) quantitatively by spread plate method. 100% reduction in the number of colonies were observed with Ca10−xCux(PO4)6(F)2 (x=0.15-0.5) against E. coli. This material can be considered as good antibacterial agent for bone implantation.