Metastable Equilibrium Solubility Distribution and Dissolution Kinetics of Carbonate Apatite Powders

Carbonated apatites (CAP’s) have been shown to exhibit a phenomenon that we refer to as metastable equilibrium solubility (MES). The MES behavior occurs when the kinetics of crystal growth and dissolution are such that dissolution of the crystalline material can relatively rapidly lead to a solution composition such that no further dissolution occurs, even though the degree of saturation of the solution is well below that required for growth. The solution composition at this point is indicative of the MES, and is most conveniently expressed in terms of a solution ion activity product (IAP).