Consequences of Fluoride Incorporation on Properties of Apatites

Fluoride, when incorporated in the apatite, stabilizes the structure. The purpose of this study was to determine the consequences of fluoride (F) substitution on the physico-chemical properties of apatites. F-containing apatites were prepared by precipitation or by hydrolysis of CaHPO4 in solutions containing different F concentrations and characterized using x-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and chemical analyses. Results showed that F incorporation have the following effects: (a) decrease in a-axis dimension, (b) increase in crystal size and thickness, (c) decrease in calcium deficiency, and (d) lower solubility.