Crystal Structure of Tricalcium Phosphate investigated by High-Temperature Neutron Diffraction Method

Abstract

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) is an important bioceramic material. Although some researchers have investigated the crystal structure of the TCP, it has not been understood well at high temperatures. In the present study, the crystal structure of TCP was investigated by the Rietveld analysis of neutron powder diffraction data measured at high temperatures. This transition occurs between 1731 and 1781K. The crystal structure was successfully refined assuming the P-3mspace group. Temperature dependence of the unit-cell parameters was determined around the phase transition point. At the transitionpoint, the unit-cell parameters and unit-cell volume discontinuously changed.