Calcite Formation in a Revised Simulated Body Fluid

Revised simulated body fluid (R–SBF) has ion concentrations, including those of CI and HCO3, equal to those of human blood plasma. A glass with composition in weight percent of SiO2 50%, Na2O 26% and CaO 24% was soaked in both conventional simulated body fluid (C–SBF) and R–SBF. Glass surface was studied by XRD, SEM in order to compare the apatite formation behaviors in two conditions. Results show that in both cases apatite formed on the glasses surfaces but it takes a longer time to form apatite on the glass surface in R–SBF than that in C–SBF. Calcite was identified on the surface of glasses after they were soaked in R–SBF after 1 day, but was never identified on glass surface in C–SBF. It shows a different apatite formation process in R–SBF as compared with that in C–SBF as calcite introduces apatite formation in R–SBF.