Study of hydroxyapatite in bones and in laser-deposited films for biomedical applications

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) present in bones has been studied and characterized using different physical analyses. Optical and scanning electron microscopies (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance (ATR) - Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have been employed. Particular attention has been given to the sample preparation as well to the lyophilization processes of bones, which can be employed for different applications. Pulse laser irradiation has been employed to deposit biocompatible thin HAp films in vacuum on Ti substrates. The prepared biocompatible substrates, which can be employed for metallic load prostheses, have been compared with the bone surface.