Synthesis, characterization, mechanical and magnetic characteristics of Gd3+/PO43 − substituted zircon for application in hard tissue replacements

AbstractThe study reports on the use of sol –gel technique to yield zircon type [Zr(1 –0.1–x) GdxTi0.1] [(SiO4)1 –x(PO4)x] solid solution. Titanium has been used as a mineralizer to trigger zircon formation while equimolar concentrations of Gd3+ and PO43 − were added to determine their accommodation limits in the zircon structure. The crystallization oft-ZrO2 as a dominant phase alongside the crystallization ofm-ZrO2 and zircon were detected at 1200 °C while their further annealing revealed the formation of zircon as a major phase at 1300°C. Heat treatment at 1400°C revealed the formation of zircon-type solid solution [Zr(1 –0.1-x)GdxTi0.1][(SiO4)1 −x(PO4)x] comprising the accommodation of 10  mol.% of Gd3+/PO43 − at the zircon lattice. Beyond 10  mol.% of Gd3+/PO43 −, the crystallization of GdPO4 as a secondary phase is noticed. Structural analysis revealed the expansion of zircon lattice due to the simultaneous occupancy of Gd3+/PO43 − for the corresponding Zr4+/SiO44 − sites. The mechanical strength of single-phase zircon solid solution was higher in comparison to that of multiphase materials, namely in the presence of GdPO4 formed as a secondary phase in samples with added equimolar Gd3+/PO43 − contents beyond 10  mol.%. Nevertheless, the paramagnetic behavior of the samples demonstrated a steady surge as a function of enhanced Gd3+ content.
Source: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research