Development and characterization of carbonate apatite/β-tricalcium phosphate biphasic cement

•We could make a biphasic CO3Ap/β-TCP cement by using carbonated α-TCP/β-TCP powder.•Biphasic CO3Ap/β-TCP cement had a self-setting ability.•Diametral tensile strength of the cement decreased with the carbonation period.•The mechanical property and composition ratio of CO3Ap could be changed by the treatment time of carbonation.

Biphasic calcium phosphate consisting of carbonate apatite and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is an excellent bone substitute with controllable bioresorbability. Fabrication of biphasic calcium phosphate with self-setting ability is expected to enhance the potential of applicability as bone substitute. In this study, mixtures of α-TCP/β-TCP powder after carbonation period 1, 3, and 5 h with 1.0 M NaHCO3 were prepared. These powders were mixed with 0.25 M Na2HPO4 at a P/L ratio of 2, and then hardened at 37 °C and 100% RH up to 24 h. XRD patterns and FT-IR spectrum showed that the resulting hardened cement consisted of biphasic carbonate apatite and β-TCP. Diametral tensile strength of the cement decreased with the carbonation period.