Octacalcium phosphate (OCP) has excellent bone formation
ability
and a good resorption rate as compared to the commercial bone substitutes
[e.g., Bio-Oss (Geistlich Pharma AG) and MBCP+ (Biomatlante)],
as well as synthesized biomaterials (hydroxyapatite and tricalcium
phosphate). The synthesis approach to obtain phase-pure OCP possesses
a great challenge due to its complex reaction mechanism and narrow
synthesis window. Thus, the current study aimed to overcome the synthesis
challenges and to define the precise reaction conditions required
for controllable and reproducible synthesis of OCP. Using the principles
of the coprecipitation method, novel synthesis protocols were developed
ensuring ultrafast synthesis of OCP within minutes. XRD analysis confirmed
that phase-pure OCP was obtained. These processing schemes enabled
the synthesis of tailor-made OCP with specific surface areas ranging
from 16 to 91 m2/g. The synthesized OCPs exhibited plate-like
morphology. The interaction of the synthesized OCPs with MC3T3-E1
cells was found to be nontoxic, confirming their cytocompatibility.
The synthesis approach developed in this study indicates that challenges
such as the reaction volume, stirring rate, and flow rate need to
be addressed in the future to upscale the technology.