A thermodynamic analysis of the secondary transition in the spontaneous precipitation of calcium phosphate

Calcif Tissue Res. 1978 Aug 18;25(3):209-16. doi: 10.1007/BF02010771.

Abstract

A thermodynamic analysis has been made of the secondary transition stage in the spontaneous precipitation of calcium phosphate following the amorphous-crystalline transformation. The first formed crystalline material has a solubility similar to that of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and the computed thermodynamic solubility product remains invariant in the pH range 7.00--8.60. The duration of the secondary stage is sensitive to pH and the transition appears to occur by hydrolysis of the first formed OCP-like phase to a more basic apatitic phase with a tricalcium phosphate (TCP) stoichiometry. The crystalline material at the end of this transition has an invariant solubility product, in the pH range 7.00 to 8.60, when the TCP-like molecular formula is assumed. Changes in the solution chemistry which accompany the solid-to-solid transitions are consistent with the above conclusions. The results of this study are also consistent with those of a previous study which suggest that the stability of the amorphous calcium phosphate phase is dependent upon the instability of the solution phase with respect to OCP formation.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium
  • Calcium Phosphates*
  • Chemical Precipitation
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mathematics
  • Phosphates
  • Thermodynamics*

Substances

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Phosphates
  • amorphous calcium phosphate
  • Calcium