Alternate Calcification in Microcapillaries for the Fabrication of Hydroxyapatite Films without Light Exposure, Calcination, or Applied Voltage

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We discuss an alternate method for calcification in microcapillaries for fabricating calcium phosphate films using silicone molds and calcifying solutions. Calcium phosphate films with a line/space of 5–50 µm were fabricated by controlling the concentrations of calcium chloride and sodium phosphate solutions. Plate-type crystals of hydroxyapatite were grown when the calcium phosphate films were immersed in hydroxyapatite precursors. In the initial stage of hydroxyapatite crystal growth, the c-plane of the crystals was grown parallel to the substrates, and subsequently the growth followed with the c-plane growing perpendicular to the substrates. In narrow capillaries, dendritic structures were formed with a tendency to grow in a direction parallel to the direction of the microcapillaries. This technique is useful in the micropatterning of biocompatible ceramics with a minimized material consumption and a short fabrication time.