Biomimetic nanocrystalline apatite coatings synthesized by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation for medical applications

We report the deposition by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique of biomimeticnanocrystalline apatite coatings on titanium substrates, with potential application in tissue engineering.The targets were prepared from metastable, nanometric, poorly crystalline apatite powders, analogousto mineral bone, synthesized through a biomimetic approach by double decomposition process. For thedeposition of thin films, a KrF* excimer laser source was used (λ = 248 nm, τFWHM ≤ 25 ns). The analy-ses revealed the existence, in synthesized powders, of labile non-apatitic mineral ions, associated withthe formation of a hydrated layer at the surface of the nanocrystals. The thin film analyses showedthat the structural and chemical nature of the nanocrystalline apatite was prevalently preserved. Theperpetuation of the non-apatitic environments was also observed. The study indicated that MAPLE isa suitable technique for the congruent transfer of a delicate material, such as the biomimetic hydratednanohydroxyapatite.