Transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and brushite into hydroxylapatite, an important biomineral, has been documented. The relationships between synthesis conditions and the formation and transformation of these phases are not comprehensively understood. The metastable nature of ACP has made it historically challenging to investigate, and many analyses attempt to stabilize the phase through drying or including additional ions or proteins in the reaction. In situ investigations provide an incisive approach to examining the structure and transformation of ACP and brushite as a function of synthesis conditions.
The first project develops a new method for in situ analyses of the structure of ACP and brushite shortly after reagent mixing, without chemical stabilization. This method was used in the second project to examine how the initial Ca/P affects ACP structure and transformation. Our results identify the first structural differences in types of ACP, controlled by the initial Ca/P. At ratio 0.2 the Ca – P bonding geometry is primarily monodentate, ratio 5.0 produces a coordination that is primarily bidentate, and there is a mix of monodentate and bidentate coordinates at intermediate ratios between the two. These results are independent of system pH between the examined range of 6-11. Further ex situ transformation experiments identified that at ratio 0.2, ACP transformed directly into hydroxylapatite, but at higher ratios the transformation product is brushite. This is a promising mechanism for direct ACP to hydroxylapatite conversion at a biologically relevant pH. In the final project, the statistically significant synthesis parameters (age, pH, temperature, supersaturation, and initial ion ratio) for ACP, brushite, and hydroxylapatite formation are evaluated. Binary logistic regression analysis and nonlinear continuous logistic regression analysis are applied to a dataset compiled from the literature. Equations were developed that predict the percentage of ACP and brushite that will form. The equations and significant variables seem to depend on the transformation pathway of brushite and ACP. The current analysis did not comprehensively describe hydroxylapatite formation when trying to concurrently evaluate the ACP to hydroxylapatite and brushite to hydroxylapatite pathways.
Taken together, these studies provide new ways to study and interpret calcium phosphate phases as they form and transform. Experiments identified new relationships between the chemistry and structure of ACP. The new in situ experimental method and the equations we developed can be used to improve future experimental designs towards a comprehensive understanding of the calcium phosphate system. / Doctor of Philosophy / Hydroxylapatite is a mineral made of calcium and phosphate, that is similar to the mineral components of bones and teeth in humans and other mammals and fish. Hydroxylapatite and other calcium phosphate phases can form when solutions, rich in calcium and phosphate, are mixed. Phases without long-range crystal structure, are amorphous calcium phosphates (ACP). Additional calcium phosphate minerals, like brushite can also form. If brushite and ACP are left in solution, they will transform into hydroxylapatite over time. Major questions include the need to learn the short-range atomic structure of ACP and how ACP and brushite transform into hydroxylapatite
In this dissertation, I investigate how chemistry and other variables such as age and time impact the calcium phosphate phase to form and how it transforms with aging. The first project develops a new method to study the structure of ACP and brushite without drying the study materials or adding additional chemicals or proteins to prevent them from transforming. The sample forms in a solution and flows directly through an X-ray beam for structural analysis.
This method is used in project two to examine how the ratio of calcium and phosphate in the beginning of the reaction affected the structure of ACP and how it transformed. The results identify the first structural differences in types of ACP, controlled by the initial Ca/P. At a ratio of 0.2 a calcium and phosphorus atom mostly share only one oxygen between them, but at Ca/P = 5.0, they mostly share two oxygens. At ratios in between 0.2 and 5.0 they share a mix of one and two oxygens. The results are independent of pH. Additionally, at ratio 0.2, ACP transformed directly into hydroxylapatite, but at all other ratios it transformed to brushite. Investigations of direct ACP to hydroxylapatite transformation are usually performed at a pH above that found in humans, but the transformation at low ratio occurred at a biologically relevant pH.
In the final project statistical analysis was used to identify what synthesis conditions (out of age, pH, temperature, supersaturation, and initial ion ratio) had a significant impact on the formation of ACP, brushite, and hydroxylapatite. Equations were developed that can be used to predict the percentage of ACP and brushite that form based on the statistically significant variables. The current analysis did not fully describe hydroxylapatite formation. Results suggest separate equations are needed for hydroxylapatite forming directly from ACP and directly from brushite.
Combined, these studies have created new ways to study calcium phosphate phases as they form and transform. This work experimentally identified new relationships between the chemistry and structure of ACP. Both the method and equations will help researchers improve their future experimental designs so investigations can be more directly compared to create a comprehensive understanding of calcium phosphates.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/108402 |
| Date | 26 August 2020 |
| Creators | Hoeher, Alexandria Janson |
| Contributors | Geosciences, Michel, Frederick Marc, Dove, Patricia M., Borkiewicz, Olaf J., Gill, Benjamin C. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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