Iain R. Gibson

Bio: Iain R. Gibson is an academic researcher from University of Aberdeen. The author has contributed to research in topics: Carbonate & Sintering. The author has an hindex of 37, co-authored 99 publications receiving 5197 citations. Previous affiliations of Iain R. Gibson include University of St Andrews & Queen Mary University of London.

Chemical characterization of silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: Bioceramic specimens have been prepared by incorporating a small amount of silicon (0.4 wt %) into the structure of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HA] via an aqueous precipitation reaction to produce a silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA). The results of chemical analysis confirmed the proposed substitution of the silicon (or silicate) ion for the phosphorus (or phosphate) ion in hydroxyapatite. The Si-HA was produced by first preparing a silicon-substituted apatite (Si-Ap) by a precipitation process. A single-phase Si-HA was obtained by heating/calcining the as-prepared Si-Ap to temperatures above 700 degrees C; no secondary phases, such as tricalcium phosphate (TCP), tetracalcium phosphate (TeCP), or calcium oxide (CaO), were observed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Although the X-ray diffraction patterns of Si-HA and stoichiometric HA appeared to be identical, refinement of the diffraction data revealed some small structural differences between the two materials. The silicon substitution in the HA lattice resulted in a small decrease in the a axis and an increase in the c axis of the unit cell. This substitution also caused a decrease in the number of hydroxyl (OH) groups in the unit cell, which was expected from the proposed substitution mechanism. The incorporation of silicon in the HA lattice resulted in an increase in the distortion of the PO4 tetrahedra, indicated by an increase in the distortion index. Analysis of the Si-HA by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that although the amount of silicon incorporated into the HA lattice was small, silicon substitution appeared to affect the FTIR spectra of HA, in particular the P-O vibrational bands. The results demonstrate that phase-pure silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite may be prepared using a simple precipitation technique.

A comparative study on the in vivo behavior of hydroxyapatite and silicon substituted hydroxyapatite granules

Abstract: Phase pure hydroxyapatite (HA) and a 0.8 wt % silicon substituted hydroxyapatite (SiHA) were prepared by aqueous precipitation methods. Both HA and SiHA were processed into granules 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter and sintered at 1200 degrees C for 2 h. The sintered granules underwent full structural characterization, prior to implantation into the femoral condyle of New Zealand White rabbits for a period of 23 days. The results show that both the HA and SiHA granules were well accepted by the host tissue, with no presence of any inflammatory cells. New bone formation was observed directly on the surfaces and in the spaces between both HA and SiHA granular implants. The quantitative histomorphometry results indicate that the percentage of bone ingrowth for SiHA (37.5%+/-5.9) was significantly greater than that for phase pure HA (22.0%+/-6.5), in addition the percentage of bone/implant coverage was significantly greater for SiHA (59.8%+/-7.3) compared to HA (47.1%+/-3.6). These findings indicate that the early in vivo bioactivity of hydroxyapatite was significantly improved with the incorporation of silicate ions into the HA structure, making SiHA an attractive alternative to conventional HA materials for use as bone substitute ceramics.

Novel synthesis and characterization of an AB‐type carbonate‐substituted hydroxyapatite

Abstract: A novel synthesis route has been developed to produce a high-purity mixed AB-type carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite (CHA) with a carbonate content that is comparable to the type and level observed in bone mineral. This method involves the aqueous precipitation in the presence of carbonate ions in solution of a calcium phosphate apatite with a Ca/P molar ratio greater than the stoichiometric value of 1.67 for hydroxyapatite (HA). The resulting calcium-rich carbonate-apatite is sintered/heat-treated in a carbon dioxide atmosphere to produce a single-phase, crystalline carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite. In contrast to previous methods for producing B- or AB-type carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatites, no sodium or ammonium ions, which would be present in the reaction mixture from the sodium or ammonium carbonates commonly used as a source of carbonate ions, were present in the final product. The chemical and phase compositions of the carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite was characterized by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, respectively, and the level and nature of the carbonate substitution were studied using C-H-N analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The carbonate substitution improves the densification of hydroxyapatite and reduces the sintering temperature required to achieve near-full density by approximately 200 degrees C compared to stoichiometric HA. Initial studies have shown that these carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatites have improved mechanical and biologic properties compared to stoichiometric hydroxyapatite.

Effect of porosity reduction by compaction on compressive strength and microstructure of calcium phosphate cement.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA) calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are attractive materials for orthopedic applications because they can be molded into shape during implantation. However their low strength and brittle nature limits their potential applications to principally non-load-bearing applications. Little if any use has been made of the HA cement systems as manufacturing routes for preset HA bone grafts, which although not moldable pastes, are resorbable, unlike HA sintered ceramic. It is known that the strength of cements can be increased beyond that attainable from slurry systems by compaction, and this study investigates whether compaction significantly alters the specific surface area and pore-size distribution of CPC prepared according to the method of Brown and Chow. Compaction pressures of between 18 and 106 MPa were used to decrease the porosity from 50 to 31%, which resulted in an increase in the wet compressive strength from 4 to 37 MPa. The Weibull modulus was found to increase as porosity decreased; in addition the amount of porosity larger than the reactant particle size increased as porosity decreased. It is proposed that this was caused by a combination of voids created by the aqueous solvent used in fabrication and shrinkage that occurs on reaction. The specific surface area was unchanged by compaction.

Phd by thesis

Abstract: Deposits of clastic carbonate-dominated (calciclastic) sedimentary slope systems in the rock record have been identified mostly as linearly-consistent carbonate apron deposits, even though most ancient clastic carbonate slope deposits fit the submarine fan systems better. Calciclastic submarine fans are consequently rarely described and are poorly understood. Subsequently, very little is known especially in mud-dominated calciclastic submarine fan systems. Presented in this study are a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) that reveals a >250 m thick calciturbidite complex deposited in a calciclastic submarine fan setting. Seven facies are recognised from core and thin section characterisation and are grouped into three carbonate turbidite sequences. They include: 1) Calciturbidites, comprising mostly of highto low-density, wavy-laminated bioclast-rich facies; 2) low-density densite mudstones which are characterised by planar laminated and unlaminated muddominated facies; and 3) Calcidebrites which are muddy or hyper-concentrated debrisflow deposits occurring as poorly-sorted, chaotic, mud-supported floatstones. These

Processing Routes to Macroporous Ceramics: A Review

Abstract: Macroporous ceramics with pore sizes from 400 nm to 4 mm and porosity within the range 20%–97% have been produced for a number of well-established and emerging applications, such as molten metal filtration, catalysis, refractory insulation, and hot gas filtration. These applications take advantage of the unique properties achieved through the incorporation of macropores into solid ceramics. In this article, we review the main processing routes that can be used for the fabrication of macroporous ceramics with tailored microstructure and chemical composition. Emphasis is given to versatile and simple approaches that allow one to control the microstructural features that ultimately determine the properties of the macroporous material. Replica, sacrificial template, and direct foaming techniques are described and compared in terms of microstructures and mechanical properties that can be achieved. Finally, directions to future investigations on the processing of macroporous ceramics are proposed.

Biomaterials in orthopaedics.

Abstract: At present, strong requirements in orthopaedics are still to be met, both in bone and joint substitution and in the repair and regeneration of bone defects. In this framework, tremendous advances in the biomaterials field have been made in the last 50 years where materials intended for biomedical purposes have evolved through three different generations, namely first generation (bioinert materials), second generation (bioactive and biodegradable materials) and third generation (materials designed to stimulate specific responses at the molecular level). In this review, the evolution of different metals, ceramics and polymers most commonly used in orthopaedic applications is discussed, as well as the different approaches used to fulfil the challenges faced by this medical field.